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To  b«  happy  at  home  is  the  ultimate  result  of  all  ambition;  the  end  to  which  every  en- 
terprite  uid  labor  tends,  and  o(  which  every  desire  prompts  the  prosecution. — Jahrum, 

AUDELS 

HOUSEHOLD 

HELPS,    HINTS 

AND 

RECEIPTS 


A  new  and  unique  collection  of  over  3000  different  ways  to  realize  a  "  home,  sweet  home  " 
atmosphere. — The  helps  and  receipts  are  primarily  intended  to  shorten  labor  and  time 
consumed  by  the  woman  in  her  home,  but  differs  from  any  other  published  book,  by 
giving  "  the  man  of  the  household"  many  practical  ideas  to  make  the  home  com- 
fortable, and  facilitate  the  necessary  duties  of  the  housewife  or  housekeeper. — 

The  300-page  book  contains   (besides  the  helps,  receipts  and  hints  for  the 

woman  in  the  home,  as  to  comfort,  expedition  in  fulfilling  the  duties  of 

the  home  maker  from  the  cellar  to  the  attic,  and  the  valuable  economies 

practically  applied) ,  thousands  of  practical  receipts,  hints  and  helps  in 

the  various  branches  of  household  work. — 

A  section  occupied  by  advice  and  treatment,  by  home  reme- 
dies, of  nearly  all  the  minor  ailments  common  to  members 
of  a  family  is  most  valuable;  improvement  of  all  house- 
hold articles  contained  in  the  home,  economical  and 
labor-saving  cleansing  and  polishing,  methods  in 
the  kitchen  and  other  parts  of  the  home. 

THREE  THOUSAND  REFERENCES 


THEO.  AUDEL  &  CO.,  PUBLISHERS 
72  Fifth  Avenue  New  York 


Copyright,  1913, 
by 
THEO.  AUDEL  &  CO.,  NEW  YORK 


Printed  in  U.  S. 
THEGEHV  o..wtR 


INTRODUCTION. 


Economy  of  money,  labor  and  time  for  the  housekeeper  and  her 
family  was  the  main  object  of  this  book.  "Time  is  money"  is  a 
truth  so  trite  that  attention  is  hard  to  attract  to  its  value,  yet  we 
believe  that  there  is  to  be  found  in  this  handbook  hundreds  of  ways 
of  doing  big  and  little  things  about  the  home  that  will  keep  the  house- 
hold pocket  book  from  rapid  shrinkage. 

No  self  laudatory  comparisons  with  other  reference  books  on 
household  economies  are  considered,  as  this  collection  of  practical 
facts  holds  a  position  apart  from  previously  published  volumes  on 
this  most  important  subject. 

The  user  of  Audel's  Household  Helps,  Hints  and  Receipts  must 
look  upon  it  as  an  introduction,  and  also  a  supplement  to  all  modern 
cook-books,  domestic  and  medical  advisers  now  on  the  market. 

The  contents  lighten  the  duties  of  the  cook,  nurse,  housekeeper 
(whether  "bachelor  girl"  or  wife  and  mother),  the  wage  earner  who 
needs  comforts  even  if  the  income  is  dwarfed,  and  the  "man  about 
the  house,"  who  will  be  able  to  hit  upon  numerous  valuable  wrinkles 
to  assist  in  his  duties  when  away  from  the  home. 

The  helps  and  hints  are,  in  all  instances,  reliable;  if  an  "old 
timer"  should  appear,  remember  that  human  invention  has  not,  as 
yet,  superseded  it  by  something  better;  if  a  selected  method  does 
not  meet  your  expectations,  try  one  of  the  others — you  may  not 
have  properly  applied  the  first  one. 

The  receipts  are  made  up  of  ingredients  usually  found  in  most 
homes,  or  easily  procured.  The  medical  helps  are  not  to  be  con- 
sidered as  supplanting  the  physician  in  very  serious  illness,  or 
surgical  demands. 

This  is  the  age  of  the  boiled  down  book  that  gives  all  necessary 
information,  and  avoids  unnecessary  words.  The  general  spread  of 
education  has  made  this  condition.  The  high  pressure  of  life  to-day 
will  not  permit  the  seeker  after  information  to  devote  sufficient 
time  for  research  into  the  body  of  any  subject;  the  result  must  be 
handed  out  in  compact  form. 

The  book  is  adapted  to  all  parts  of  the  continent,  and  we  believe 
it  will  save  any  home  the  price  of  the  book  many  times  over  every 
year  that  it  is  in  use. 


TABLE  OF  MEASURES  AND  WEIGHTS. 

4  saltspoonfuls  =  1  teaspoonfiil. 

3  teaspoonfuls  =  1  tablespoonlul. 

4  tablespoonfuls  =34  cupful. 
2  gills  =  1     .  " 

2  cupfuls  =  1  pint. 

2  pints  =  1  quart. 

4  quarts  =  1  gallon. 

8      "  =1  peck. 

4  cupfuls  flour  =  1  pound. 

2        "      solid  butter                  =1 

2  "      gran,  sugar  =1       " 

3  "      meal  =1 

1  heaping  tablespoonful  sugar  =  1  ounci-. 
1         "  "  butter  =  2  ounces. 

1  tablespoonful  liquid  =  J^  ounce. 

Apothecaries  Weight. 

Ounces.  Drams.  Scruples.  Grains. 
1  pound  (lb.)  =     12     =     96     =  288     =5760 

1  ounce  (%)  =       8      =     24      =  480 

1  dram  (3)  3     =     60 

1  scruple  O)  or  scr,  =     20 

This  system  of  weights  is  used  in  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain,  and  employed  in  dispensing  drugs,  differing  only  in  its 
subdivisions  from  Troy  weight.  In  a  physician's^  prescription,  s 
means  semi  or  half,  j  indicates  one;  thus  ij  would  indicate  two,iij, 
three,  and  so  forth.  %ij  indicates  two  ounces,  f^iss,  one  ounce  and  a 
half; /5,  fluid  ounce,  3*  or  3i.  one  dram,  9i,  one  scruple,  ilf  minim  or 
drop,  O  a  pint. 


INDEX 


TO 


HELPS,   HINTS  AND   RECEIPTS 


PAGE 

Abdominal  Muscles,  Exercising  in  Sick  Headache 70 

Abort.  To,  an  Attack  of  Appendicitis 69 

Absorbents,  Quicklime  and  Gypsum  Good 258 

Accidents,  First  Considerations  in 38 

Acetanilid,  Dangers  of  Using 70 

Acetanilid  or  Antifebrin  Poisoning 128 

Acetic  Acid,  Poisoning  by 129 

Acidity  of  Saliva,  Cause  of  Toothache 14 

Acids,  Value  of  Fruit 22 

Aconite  in  Diphtheria 102 

Aconite,  Poisoning  by 130 

Acute  Articular  Rheumatism 119 

Acute  Bronchitis 105 

Acute  Eczema,  Picric  Acid  in 28 

Acute  Indigestion 86 

Acute  Inflammation  of  the  Bladder,  Remedy  for 82 

Acute  Rheumatism 120 

Adenoids  Causing  Earache 37 

Advanced  in  Life,  Food  of  the 84 

Advantage  of  Dextrinized  and  Malt  Foods 48 

Advantage  of  Grease  to  Prevent  Rust 214 

Advantage  of  Water  Drinking 61 

Advantages  of  Cod  Oil 64 

Advice  About  the  Eyes 35-36 

Advice,  Oculist's,  About  the  Eyes 35-36 

Advice  to  the  Fleshy  Woman 66 

Aged  Persons,  Indolent  Bowels  in 79 

Air  and  Water  Tight  Corks 206 

Air  in  Bedrooms 195 

Airing  Pillows,  Blankets,  etc 195 

Alcohol  and  Ammonia  Restores  Rusty  Black  Stuff 166 

Alchool  for  Bums 73 

Alcohol  for  Cleaning  Gold  Lace 191 

Alcohol  for  Grass  Stains 166 

Alcohol  for  Red  Ink  Stains 171 

Alcohol,  Poisoning  by 130 

Alcohol,  Precaution  when  Using,  on  Furniture 181 

Alcohol,  to  Allay  Craving  for 124 

Alcohol,  to  Remove  Wax  Spots  on  Silk 172 

Alum,  Its  Uses  in  the  Household 142 

Aluminum  Paint  For  Stoves 224 

American  Hand,  the 31 

Ammonia  and  Chloroform,  Restoring  Color  of  Clothing  with 166 

Ammonia,  Cleaning  Kid  Gloves  with 185 

Ammonia  for  Rapid  Blistering 77 

Ammonia  in  the  Bath 4 

Ammonia,  Poisoning  by 130 

I 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Ammonia,  Restoring  Color  to  Black  Stuff  with 16(5 

Ammohia,  Use  of  in  the  Kitchen 227 

Ammonia,  Various  Uses  for 138 

" Anti-Chior",  How  Used  in  Bleaching 162 

"  Anti-Chlor  ",  Hyposulphite  of  Soda  as  a 162 

Antidotes  to  Poisons 127 

Antipyrin,  Dangers  of  Using  for  Headaches 70 

Antipyrin,  Poisoning  by 130 

Antiseptic  Mouthwash 12 

Ants  in  the  Refrigerator 221 

Appendicitis,  Chills  an  Indication  of 68 

Appendicitis,  Hot  Enemas  for 68 

Appendicitis,  To  Abort  an  Attack  of 69 

Appendicitis,  Treatment  of 68 

Appetite,  Draught  to  Promote  the 84 

Appetite  of  Girls 83 

Appetites,  Urmatural  among  Girls 65 

Apple  Barrels,  Newspapers  as  Lining  of 262 

Apples  and  Insomnia 91 

Apples  and  Potatoes,  To  Keep 262 

Application  for  Black  Eye 24 

Application  for  Eczema  of  the  Nipple 124 

Applying  Beautifier 23 

Aquarium  Cement 194 

Aristos  Cough  Mixture 108 

Arms  and  Legs,  to  Develop 38 

Arms  and  Legs,  Exercise  to  Develop 38 

Arresting  Palpitation  of  the  Heart 68 

Arsenic,  Poisoning  by 130 

Arteries,  Hardening  of  the 99 

Artificial  Ice  and  Fish 219 

Asbestos  Mats,  Uses  for 210 

Ash-free  Grates 222 

Asthma,  Menthol  Inhalation  in 112 

Asthma,  Remedies  for 111-112 

Astringent  for  Wrinkles 30 

Astringents  Injurious  in  Bright's  Disease 117 

Atropine  or  Belladonna,  Poisoning  by 130 

Autotoxemia  as  Cause  of  Headache 70 

Awnings,  Removing  Mildew  from 167 

Babes,  Hot  Water  for  New-born 55 

Babies,  Hot  Water  for  Digestive  Disorders  of 54 

Baby,  Bathing  a 41 

Baby,  Colicky  and  Hot  Water 55 

Baby,  Four-hour  Feeding  Intervals  of  a 42 

Baby,  Fresh  Cow's  Milk  for  Botile 43 

Baby,  Napkins  when  Traveling  with  a 41 

Baby,  Slight  Derangements  of 47 

Baby's  Bonnet,  Lining  of 47 

Babyhood,  Cleaning  Teeth  in 12 

Bad  EtTects  of  Turned-down  Lamp 216 

Badly  Burned  Enamelware,  to  Clean 211 

Bag  for  the  Laundry 234 

Baking  Dishes,  Removing  Stains  from 211 

Balsam  for  Coughs  and  Colds 106 

Balsam  of  Copaiba  for  Burns 72 

Bamboo  Furniture,  Treatment  of 183 

Banana  Skin  as  a  Shoe  Polish 187 

Bath,  Ammonia  in  the 4 

Bath,  Refreshing  Odor  for  the 4 

Bathing  Young  Babies 41 

Bathroom,  Absolute  Cleanliness  in 200 

II 


INDEX 

PACE 

Bathroom,  Bottles  in  the 200 

Bathroom  Pipe,  Obstruction  in  the 200 

Bathroom,  Roachws  in  the 200 

Baths  and  Toilet  Waters 345 

Baths,  in  Cases  of  Pneumonia 116 

Baths,  Sulphur 3 

Baths,  Tepid,  their  Advantages 3 

Bathing,  Action  of,  on  Skin 1 

Bathing,  Advice  as  to 2 

Bathing  Children  and  Cold  Water 2 

Bathing,  Cold  Water,  acd  Pimples 2 

Bathing,  Don'ts  when 12 

Bathing,  Epsom  Salt 2 

Bathing,  Flesh  Reduction  by 3 

Bathing,  for  Weak  Persons 1 

Bathing,  Neutral  Bath 2 

Bathing,  Sanitary  Value  of 3 

Bathing,  Tepid  Bath 2 

Bathing  the  Face 3 

Bathing,  When  to  Bathe I 

Bathroom,  Barrel  as  Clothes  Basket  in  the 2 

Bay  Rum 5 

Bazin's  Axerasine 27 

Beautifier,  Applying  at  Night 23 

Beautiful  Kails 32 

Bedbug  (Cimex),  Destroying  the 193 

Bedbugs  and  Contagious  Diseases 199 

Bedbugs  and  Insect  Powders 199 

Bedbugs,  Extermination  of 199 

Bedbugs,  Exterminating  with  Fumigants 199 

Bedbugs,  Killed  by  Hydro-Cyanic  Gas 257 

Bedbugs,  Not  Indicating  Neglect 199 

Bedclothes,  Changing  a  Patient's 59 

Bedclothes,  Increasing  Warmth  of 195 

Bedclothes  Over  the  Head 196 

Bedroom  Closets,  Cleaning  of 196 

Bedrooms,  Air  in 195 

Bedrooms,  Fresh  Air  Inlet  in 195 

Bedrooms,  Woolen  Hangings  for 195 

Beds,  Feathers  for 198 

Bed,  Sick  Room,  Preparing 59 

Bed  Sores,  Prevention  and  Treatment  of 59 

Bedstead,  Weekly  Cleaning  of 196 

Bed-wetting  of  Children 41 

Beeswax  and  Oil  for  Bums 73 

Benzine  Spray  for  Moths 159 

Bicarbonate  of  Potassium  for  Improved  Javelle  Water 163 

Bichloride  of  Mercury  (See  Corrosive  Sublimate) 

Bichloride  of  Mercury  and  Moths 159 

BiUousnees,  Relief  of 93 

Bill  of  Fare  for  Canaries 264 

Binding  Cuts  and  Wounds 33 

Bisulphide  of  Carbon  in  Neuralgia 72 

Bites  and  Stings,  Treatment  of 125-127 

Biting  the  Finger  Nails 32 

Bitter  Medicine,  Oil  of  Cloves  for 63 

Blackberry  and  Wine  Cordial 95 

Black  Cotton  Gloves,  Preventing  Crocking  of 1S5 

Black  Crust  on  Sheet  Iron  Fr>-ing  Pans 211 

Black  Dresses,  To  Remove  Mud  from 106 

Black  Dye  Made  Fast  in  Washable  Materials 232 

Blackening  Eyebrows 21 

Black  Eye,  Application  to  a 24 

III 


INDEX 

PACK 

Black  Eye,  Improving  a 24 

Black  Hair  Dye 21 

Black  Marble.  To  Polish 190 

Black  or  Navy  Blue  Linens,  Washing 233 

Black  Points,  Fleshworms,  etc 26 

Black  Sealing  Wax,  To  Make 190 

Black  Silk,  Sponging 173 

Black  Silk,  Gloss  Removed  from 172 

Black  Stuff,  Restoring  Color  to 166 

Black  Walnut,  Polish  for 189 

Black  Walnut,  Stained  Ebony 244 

Blacking  Overheated  Stoves 223 

Blacking  Rusted  Stoves 223 

Blacking,  Stove,  Liquid 222 

Bladder,  Acute  Inflammation  of 82 

Bladder,  Means  of  Emptying  During  Parturition 60 

Blankets,  Best  Way  to  Wash 237 

Blankets,  Ironing 243 

Bleaching  Agents  as  Disinfectants 162 

Bleaching  by  Sunlight 163 

Bleaching,  Cause  of,  with  Chloride  of  Lime 162 

Bleaching,  Chloride  of  Lime,  for  Linen  and  Cotton 163 

Bleaching,  Chlorine  for 161 

Bleaching  Cloth,  with  Snow 163 

Bleaching  Clothes  with  Buttermilk 163 

Bleaching  Fabrics 102 

Bleaching  Feathers  with  Peroxide  of  Hydrogen 164 

Bleaching  Fine  Feathers 163 

Bleaching  Ivory 164 

Bleaching  Ivory  Knife  Handles 164 

Bleaching,  Javelle  Water  not  good  for 103 

Bleaching  Powder  Mixture 102 

Bleaching  Sponges 163 

Bleaching  Sponges  almost  Snow-white 163 

Bleaching  Straw 163 

Bleaching  Straw  Plait 164 

Bleaching,  Use  for  "  Anti-Chlor"  in 102 

Bleaching  White  Clothes  with  Turpentine 229 

Bleeding  and  Stimulants 110 

Bleeding,  Cold  Water  Applications  in 38 

Bleeding  from  the  Mouth 105 

Bleeding  from  the  Nose 40 

Bleeding  of  the  Nose,  To  Arrest Ill 

Blister,  Rapid,  of  Ammonia 77 

Blood  Stains,  To  Remove,  from  Fabrics 166 

Blotches,  Bazin's  Axerasine  for  Face 27 

Bluing,  Hints  on  Laundry 239 

Bluing,  Home-made  Laundry 236 

Bluing.  Liquid,  Which  Never  Settles 239 

Boards.  Cleaning 202 

Bobbinet  Curtains.  Finishing 174 

Boiled  Milk,  Disadvantages  of,  for  a  Child 43 

Boiling  Milk 43 

Boiling-over  of  a  Kettle,  To  Prevent 206 

Boiling  the  Clothes  Line 235 

Boiling  Water  to  Remove  Tea  or  Coffee  Stains 164 

Boils.  Treatment  of 120,  133 

Bone.  To  Dislodge  a  Fish 65 

Books,  Easily  Made  Book-mark  for 153 

Books.  Ink  Stains  Removed  from 152 

Books,  Match  Fumes  to  Remove  Berry  Stains  from 153 

Books,  The  Injury  Caused  by  Metal  Clasps  on 153 

Books,  Their  Treatment  and  Care 152 

IV 


INDEX 


PACE 

Books,  To  Prevent  Moulding  of 153 

Books,  Zinc  as  Protection  from  Gas  Injury  to 153 

Boots,  Cure  for  Squeaking 187 

Boots,  To  Prevent  Water  Penetrating 187 

Boracic  Acid,  Cleanser  for  Babies'  Teeth 12 

Borax  as  a  Dentifrice 133 

Borax,  Brightening  Matting  with 158 

Borax  for  Rinsing  Water 229 

Borax  for  While  Silk  Stockings 232 

Borax,  Its  Uses  in  the  Household 133 

Borax,  Perspiring  Hands  and 33 

Borax,  Removing  Finger  Marks  on  Furniture  with 181 

Borax,  Restoring  Black  Cashmere  with 167 

Boric  Acid  Mouth  Wash 11 

Boric  Acid,  Value  of,  in  Poultices 61 

Bottle,  To  Open  any 209 

Bottle,  Using  to  Finish  Lace 175 

Bottles  and  Lamp  Chimneys,  For  Drying 204 

Bottles  in  the  Bathroom 200 

Bottles,  Rinsing 209 

Bowel  iviassage  and  Constipation 80 

Bowels,  To  Massage  the 81 

Brass  Cages,  Brightening  and  Cleaning 263 

Bread  and  Vinegar  Poultices  for  Corns 7 

Bread  and  Water  Poultice 60 

Breakage  of  Lamp  Chimneys,  To  Prevent 216 

Bricks.  Reducing  Fire  in  Stove  with 224 

Brightening  and  Cleaning  Brass  Cages 263 

Brightening  Copper  and  Brass  Vessels 211 

Brightening  Oil  Cloths 218 

Bright  Grates,  Preserving  from  Rust 225 

Bright 's  Disease,  Treatment  of 117 

Brittle  Nails,  Strengthening 32 

Broken  Plaster  Cast,  To  Mend 193 

Broken  Skin  Chilblains 10 

Bronchial  Asthma,  Remedy  for 112 

Bronchitis  Acute,  Symptoms  of 105 

Bronchitis,  Chronic,  Banana  Juice  for 105 

Bronchitis,  Inhalations  for  Relieving 106 

Bronze  Varnish  for  Boots  and  Slippers 187 

Broom  and  Brush  Holder 161 

Broom,  To  Prevent  Dust  when  Using 161 

Brooms,  Advantage  of  Suspending 161 

Brooms  Preserved  by  Hot  Salt  Water 159 

Brooms,  Renewing  Worn 159 

Brown  Leather,  Treatment  of 188 

Brown  Mixture  for  Coughs 107 

Brown  "Whitewash" 255 

Bruise,  Remedy  for  a 132 

Bruises,  Cold  Water  Application  to 38 

Bruises,  Hot  Water  for 78 

Brushing  a  Coat 178 

Brushing  and  Combing  the  Scalp 17-18 

Brushing  Derby  Hat 178 

Brushing  Down  Dusty  Walls 161 

Brushing  the  Teeth 11 

Brushing  the  Teeth,  Necessity  of,  after  Meals 13 

Brushing  the  Teeth,  Proper  Way  of 12 

Brushing  Wet  Silk  Hat 178 

Brush  and  Broom  Holder 161 

Brush  for  Stencilling 254 

Brush  Rack 160 

Bureau  Drawers,  Making  Run  Smoothlv 181 

"v 


INDEX 


PAGB 

Burlap  as  Stove  Cleaner 224 

Burned  Kettle,  To  Clean  a 211 

Burner,  Five-foot  Gas,  Described 217 

Burning  Clothes,  Extinguishing 74 

Burning  Organic  Refuse 202 

Burning  Sulphur  in  a  Large  Room 258 

Bums,  Alcohol  a  Dressing  for 73 

Bums,  Balsam  of  Copaiba  for 72 

Burns,  Beeswax  and  Oil  for 73 

Bums,  Clover  Blossom  Ointment  for 73 

Bums,  Eggs  for  Relief  of 73 

Bums,  Kerosense  for  Soreness  of 73 

Bums,  Oil  of  Peppermint  for 72 

Burns  and  Scalds,  Treatment  of 72-74 

Buttermilk  and  Sour  Milk  as  Nutritive  Agents 45 

Buttermilk  as  a  Food 46 

Buttermilk,  Bleactnng  Clothes  with 163 

Buttermilk,  Easily  Made 46 

Buttermilk,  to  Remove  Mildew  with 166 

Button  in  the  Nostril,  Removal  of  a 37 

Buying  Gloves,  How  to  Examine  for  Wear 184 

Cage  of  Nesting  Canaries 263 

Cages,  Advantages  of  Sand  in 263 

Cakemixer,  Improvised 207 

Caloric  Requirement,  Daily  Amount  of 88 

Camphor  for  Colds  in  the  Head 109 

Camphor  Gum  Prevents  Rust 166 

Camphor,  Poisoning  by 130 

Camphor-Phenol  Treatment  of  Rheumatism 120 

Camphorated  Oil 122 

Camphorated  Spirits  for  Inflammation  of  Gums 15 

Camphor  Ice  for  Chapped  Hands 31 

Canary  Birds,  Care  of 262-265 

Canaries  and  Small  Cages 263 

Canaries,  Bill  of  Fare  for 204 

Canaries,  Danger  of  Draft  to 263 

Canaries,  Drink  for  Molting 264 

Canaries,  Green  Food  for 264 

Canaries'  Mating  Periods 263 

Canaries,  Net  for  Catching 265 

Canaries,  Prohibited  Foods  for 264 

Canaries,  Richer  Song  of  Mated > .  263 

Canaries,  Rules  for  Bathing 263 

Canaries  Suffering  from  Bad  Air 263 

Canaries,  Sulphur  a  Necessity  for 264 

Cane-scat  Chairs,  Washing 181 

Candle  Grease,  Removing  from  Furniture 181 

Candle  Grease,  To  Remove 169 

Candy  Pans,  To  Clean 212 

Cantharides,  Poisoning  by 130 

Carbolic  Acid,  Poisoning  by 129 

Carbon-sulphide  as  Substitute  for  Hydro-Cyanic  Gas 257 

Carbuncles,  Injection  for 120 

Cardialfiia 87 

Care  and  Improvement  of  Furniture 180 

Care  of  Bathroom  Rug 200 

Care  of  Canary  Birds 262-265 

Care  of  the  Cellar  and  its  Contents 261 

Care  of  Clothes-wringer 235 

Care  of  Dishcloths 213 

Care  of  Furniture 180 

Care  of  Gloves 184 

VI 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Care  of  Gossamer  Waterproof 176 

Care  of  Hair  and  Scalp 16 

Care  of  the  Hands 30-33 

Care  of  Kerosene-burning  Stoves 216 

Care  of  Man's  Wardrobe 178 

Care  of  Pots  and  Pans 211 

Care  of  Refrigerator 219-220 

Care  of  Rub-board 235 

Care  of  Sediment-Cocks  in  Kitchen  Boilers 207 

Care  of  Shoes  and  Slippers I>i6 

Care  of  Sinks  and  Waste  Pipes 227 

Care  of  Stoves 222-225 

Care  of  the  Eyes 33 

Care  of  the  Feet 6 

Care  of  the  Teeth 11-13 

Care  of  Washtubs 235 

Care  of  \\  hite  Woodwork 181 

Careful  Use  of  Cook-ing  Utensils 214 

Carious  Teeth,  Creosote  for 15 

Carpets,  Ammonia  to  Clean 156 

Carpet,  Binding  Rag 156 

Carpets,  Brightening 154 

Carpets,  Brightening  Dingy 154 

Carpets,  Care  of  and  Cleaning 153 

Carpels,  Choosing  for  Dining  Room 153 

Carpets,  Cleaning  with  Magnesia 156 

Carpets,  Cleansed  with  Ox-gall 155 

Carpets,  Drying  Scrubbed 157 

Carpets,  Easy  Way  to  Stretch 155 

Carpets,  Freshening,  when  Faded 154 

Carpets,  Killing  Moths  in 154 

Carpets,  To  Remove  Oil  from 155 

Carpets,  Old  Matting  for  Padding 157 

Carpels,  Remedy  for  Bugs  in 154 

Carpets,  Removing  Grease  from 154 

Carpets,  Salt  for  Sweeping 154 

Carpets,  Tea  Leaves  for  Sweeping 154 

Carpets,  To  Clean,  with  Bran 155 

Carpels,  Use  of  Broom  when  Sweeping 161 

Carpets,  W  hiskbrooin  for  Brushing 161 

Cartridge  Paper  for  Stencils 251 

Cashmere,  Restoring  Black 167 

Casks,  Empty,  to  Keep  Sweet 261 

Caster  Supports,  To  Repair 183 

Castile  Soap  Tooth  Cleanser 12 

Castor  Oil  for  Corns 7 

Castor  Oil,  How  to  Take 63 

Castor  Oil,  Palatable 64 

Castor  Oil,  To  easily  Take 64 

Catarrhal  Conjunctivitis 34 

Catching  Fleas  (Howard's  Method) 260 

Cause  of  Circles  Beneath  the  Eyes 34 

Cause  of  Leanness 68 

Cause  of  Obesity 68 

Causes  of  Constipation 78-79 

Causes  of  Dandruff 19 

Causes  of  Injury  to  Eyes 36 

Causes  of  Neuralgia,  and  Treatment 72 

Causes  of  Ollensive  Breath 13 

Causes  of  Tooth  Decay 12 

Caustic  Potash  or  Soda,  Poisoning  by 131 

Cedar  Chests  as  Moth  Repellants 159 

Cedar  Chips  Moth  Repellant , I59 

VII 


INDEX 


PAGB 

Celery  as  a  Cure  for  Rheumatism 119 

Cellars.  To  Keep  Dry 261 

Cellars,  To  Clean  Vegetable 262 

Celluloid  Articles,  Mending 193 

Celluloid  Cement 190 

Cement,  Celluloid 190 

Cement,  Cracked  Stove  Lids 223 

Cement  for  Fastening  Tops  of  Lamps 217 

Cement,  Hard,  for  Seams 194 

Cement,  Ivory 193 

Cement,  Roof 193 

Cement,  Rubber 176 

Cement  to  Hold  Metal  and  Glass 193 

Cement,  Household 193 

Cement  for  Articles  which  Have  to  Be  Heated 193 

Cement  for  Iron  Pots  and  Pans 194 

Cement  for  Leaks  in  Chimneys 193 

Cement  for  Stoves 193 

Cement  for  Tortoise  Shell 190 

Cement  for  Water  Tanks,  Aquariums 194 

Cement  to  Mend  China 194 

Chamois  Gloves,  Washing 186 

Chandeliers,  Cleaning 158 

Changing  a  Patient 's  Gown 59 

Chapped  Hands,  Camphor  Ice  for 31 

Chapped  Hands,  Cause  of 31 

Chapped  Lips,  Glycerine  not  for 25 

Charcoal  and  Its  Uses 144-145 

Charcoal  and  Sand  Filter 201 

Charcoal  as  a  Deodorant 258 

Charcoal  in  the  Refrigerator 221 

Cheap  Washing 233 

Cherry  Laurel  Toilet  Water 4 

Cherry  Stain 243 

Chewing  of  Foods 84 

Chilblains,  Cause  of 9-10 

Chilblains,  Cures  for 9-10 

Chilblains,  Household  Remedies  for 10 

Chilblains,  Iodine  Treatment  of 9 

Chilblains,  Oil  of  Sassafras  for 10 

Chilblains,  Treatment  for  Broken  Skin 10 

Child,  Boiled  Milk  and  the 43 

Child,  Feeding  Two-year-old 41 

Child,  Treatment  of.  During  Convulsions 49 

Children  and  Starchy  Foods 48 

Children,  Cures  for  Bed-wetting  of 410 

Children,  Indigestion  of 48 

Children,  Overdressed 47 

Children,  Physiological  Functionsof 50 

Children,  Prevention  of  Flat-foot  in 40 

Children,  Rule  for  Dosage  of 63 

Children,  Sitting  and  Walking  of  Young 40 

Children,  Summer  Complaint  in 96 

Children,  Summer  Diarrhoeas  in 96 

Children  Under  Three  Years,  Feeding 42 

Children's  Inflamed  Eyes 35 

Children's  Sleeping  Hours 40 

Children's  Health  Affected  by  Stuffing  with  Food 13 

Child's  Shoes,  Roughening 187 

Chill  and  Numbness  of  the  Feet 8 

Chills  a  Pneumonia  Symptom 113 

Chill  an  Indication  in  Appendicitis 6.^ 

Chills,  Flannel  to  Prevent 47 

VIII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

China,  Cement  to  Mend 194 

Chinchilla  Fur,  Cleaning 179 

Chinese  Eyelash  Stain 20 

Chloral  Hydrate,  Poisoning  by 131 

Chlorat«  of  Potash  Lozenges,  Caution  Regarding 103 

Chloride  of  Lime  as  Ink  Eraser 171 

Chorlide  of  Lime  as  a  Disinfectant 257 

Chloride  of  Lime,  Bleachinij  Linen  and  Cottons  with 163 

Chloride  of  Lime,  Bleaching  with 161 

Chloride  of  Lime,  for  Drains,  Sinks,  etc 227 

Chloride  of  Lime  Not  to  Be  Used  with  Wool 163 

Chloride  of  Lime,  Removing  Long-standing  Stains  with 165 

Chloride  of  Lime,  Removing  Mildew  with 167 

Chloride  of  Lime,  Renewing  Faded  Trimmings  with 165 

Chloride  of  Zinc  as  a  Disinfectant 257 

Chlorine  and  Chloride  of  Lime 162 

Chlorine,  Bleaching  with 161 

Chloroform  and  Ammonia,  Restoring  Color  of  Clothing  with 106 

Chloroform  for  Earache 37 

Chloroform  for  Hiccoughs 69 

Chloroform  for  Old  Paint  on  Clothing 171 

Chloroform,  Paint  Removed  from  Silk  with 172 

Choking,  Remedy  for 66 

Choosing  a  Refrigerator 222 

Chronic  Eczema,  Heat  in  Treatment  of 2S 

Chronic  Gastric  Catarrh,  Diet  for 97 

Chronic  Gastric  Catarrh,  Hot  Water  in 96 

Chronic  Gout,  Local  Treatment  of 118 

Chronic  Sore  Mouth 25 

Cinders,  Dustless  Sifting  of 224 

Cinders,  Use  of,  on  Fires 223 

Circles  Beneath  the  Eyes,  Cause  of 34 

Citric  Acid  for  Rust  and  Ink  Spots  in  Woolens 171 

Citron  Ointment  Lip  Salve 25 

Cleaned  Cloth  Garments,  To  Iron ISO 

Cleaning  Baby's  Teeth 12 

Cleaning  Badly  Burned  Enamelware  Utensils 211 

Cleaning  Bathroom 200 

Cleaning  Bedroom  Closets 196 

Cleaning  Bedsteads  Weekly 196 

Cleaning  Black  Crust  on  Frying  Pans 211 

Cleaning  Boards 202 

Cleaning  Burned  Kettle 211 

Cleaning  Candy  Pans 212 

Cleaning  Cane-seats  of  Chairs 181 

Cleaning  Carpets  with  Ammonia 156 

Cleaning  Carpets  with  Bran 155 

Cleaning  Carpets  with  Magnesia 156 

Cleaning  Chandeliers 158 

Cleaning  Chinchilla  Fur 179 

Cleaning  Cloth  Garments 180 

Cleaning  Coat  Collars 178 

Cleaning  Dark  Furs 179 

Cleaning  Delicate  Wall  Paper 247 

Cleaning  Discolored  Sponges JOI 

Cleaning  DuU  Gold 192 

Cleaning  Enameled  Iron  Sinks 210 

Cleaning  French  Gold  Ornaments 191 

Cleaning  Gilt  Articles 192 

Cleaning  Gilt  Frames. 152,  191 

Cleaning  Gloves  with  Benzine 185 

Cleaning  Gloves  with  Dry  Commeal 184 

Cleaning  Gloves  with  Milk 185 

IX 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Cleaning  Gloves  with  Spongy  Rubber .•..> 185 

Cleaning  Gold  and  Silver 191 

Cleaning  Gold  Lace  or  Embroidery 191 

Cleaning  Grease  Spots  from  Matting 158 

Cleaning  Greasy  Sink  with  Paratline  Oil 208 

Cleaning  Hair  Brushes 16 

Cleaning  Inside  of  Frying  Pans 214 

Cleaning  Ivory 164 

Cleaning  Jewelry 191 

Cleaning  Kid  Gloves  with  Ammonia 185 

Cleaning  Kid  (iloves  with  Stale  Bread 185 

Cleaning  Kid  Gloves  with  Talcum  Powder 185 

Cleaning  Kid  Slippers 188 

Cleaning  Knives 212 

Cleaning  Lace 174 

Cleaning  Lamp  Chimneys 216 

Cleaning  Light  Furs 179 

Cleaning  Liquid  for  Silver 191 

Cleaning  Mackintosh 177 

Cleaning  Marble  Mantels  without  Soap 206 

Cleaning  Mica 222 

Cleaning  Milk  Strainer 212 

Cleaning  Mink  Fur 179 

Cleaning  Natural  Woodwork 182 

Cleaning  New  Linoleum 218 

Cleaning  Nursery  Utensils 42 

Cleaning  Oxidized  Silver 191 

Cleaning  Paint  Brushes 246 

Cleaning  Rugs  and  Keeping  in  Shape 157 

Cleaning  Rugs  with  Snow 157 

Cleaning  Sable  Fur 179 

Cleaning  Shiny  Black  Silk  or  Satin 173 

Cleaning  Silks  and  Velvets 172 

Cleaning  Skillets 213 

Cleaning  Smoke  and  Dirt  from  Walls 207 

Cleaning  Smoked  Ceilings 247 

Cleaning  Spice-mill 202 

Cleaning  Squirrel  and  Monkey  Fur 179 

Cleaning  Stains  from  Mahogany 182 

Cleaning  Tea-stained  Tablecloth 229 

Cleaning  the  Ear 37 

Cleaning  the  Nails 32 

Cleaning  Tinware,  when  Hot 214 

Cleaning  Tinware  with  Dry  Flour 214 

Cleaning  Vegetable  Cellars 262 

Cleaning  Velvet 173 

Cleaning  Vinegar  Cruet 209 

Cleaning  Wall  Paper 247 

Cleaning  Waste-pipe  of  Refrigerator 219 

Cleaning  White  China  Silk  Waists 173 

Cleaning  White  Flannel  Clothing 180 

Cleaning  White  Goat-skin  Rug 157 

Cleaning  White  Ostrich  Feathers 176 

Cleaning  White  Paint 246 

Cleaning  White  Plumes 176 

Cleaning  White  Zephyr  Articles 166 

Cleaning  Wicker  Furniture 182 

Cleaning  Window,  Picture  and  Looking  Glass 205 

Cleaning  Windows  with  Newspapers 205 

Cleaning  Wooden  Kitchen  Utensils 214 

Cleaning  Zinc  Covered  Tables 203 

Cleansing  Hair 17 

Clearing  Muddy  Water 236 

X 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Clearing  Sallow  Skin 23 

Closets,  Preventing  Mildew  in 2U6 

Closet,  Uncovered  Preserves  in 206 

Cloth,  Grease  Spots,  To  Remove 109 

Clothing,  Removing  Tar  from 169 

Cloth  Bags  as  Moth  Preventatives 159 

Cloth  Garments,  Cleaning 180 

Cloth  Ginnents,  Pressing  out  Wrinkles 180 

Cloths,  Removing  Stains  from 166 

Clothes,  Care  Before  Putting  Away 166 

Clothes  on  Fire 132 

Clothes,  Protecting  from  Moths 158 

Clothes  Bag  with  Draw-strinRS 2.35 

Clothes  Pins,  Durability  of  Boiled 235 

Clothes-wringer,  Repairing  the 235 

Clothing,  Moths  Fond  of  Grease  In 169 

Clothing,  Winter 115 

Clover  Blossom  Ointment 73 

Coal  Soot  Stove  Polish 223 

Coal-tar  Disinfectants 257 

Coarse  Hands,  Cold  Cream  for 30 

Coat  Brushing 178 

Coat  Folding  for  Traveling 178 

Coat,  Hanging  a 178 

Cocoa  Butter  to  Develop  Arms  and  Legs 38 

Cod-liver  Oil,  Fifty-per-ccnt.  Emulsion  of 64 

Cod-liver  Oil,  To  Disguise  Taste  of 62 

Cod  Oil,  its  Advantages 64 

Coffee  and  Rheumatism 1 19 

Coffee,  Some  Uses  for 142 

Cold  Cream 24 

Cold  Feet 8 

Cold  on  the  Chest,  Onions  for  a 107 

Cold  Sore,  Treatment  of  a 78 

Cold  Water,  Applications  in  Sunstroke 70 

Cold  Wells  not  Always  Pure 52 

Colds  and  Coughs,  Syrup  for 107 

Colds,  Camphor  for 109 

Colic  and  Flatulence 82 

Colic,  Remedy  for 81,  82 

Collar,  Overcoat,  Stains  Removed  from 178 

Collars,  Ironing 240 

Collars,  Rule  for  Ironing 241-242 

Cologne  Water  (Ordinary) ,  To  Make 4 

Cologne  Water  (First  Quality) 6 

Color,  Preser\-ing,  When  Washing  Calico 231 

Color.  To  Set,  in  Delicate  Cambrics 232 

Color,  To  Set,  in  Wash  Materials 231 

Colored  Hosiery,  To  Prevent  Fading  of 232 

Coloring  Kitchen  Walls 246 

Colors,  Applying  Stencil 254 

Color  Changing,  To  Prevent,  When  Washing 231 

Colors,  To  Set 231 

Combing  Invalid's  Hair 18 

Combing  and  Brushing  the  Scalp 17 

Combs,  Washing 16 

Comedones,  Fleshworms,  etc 26 

Comforts,  Keeping  Clean 197 

Comforts,  Tacking 197 

Common  Accidents,  Useful  Remedies  for 132 

Complexion,  Hot  Water  for 54 

Complexion  Masks 24 

Conditions  for  Raising  Infants 46 

XI 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Conjunctivitis,  Catarrhal 34 

Constipated  Children  and  Teething 48 

Constipated,  Foods  to  be  Avoided  by  the 79 

Constipation  and  Bowel  Massage 80 

Constipation,  Causes  of 78-79 

Constipation,  Child's  Bed-wetting  Caused  by 41 

Constipation,  Curing 78 

Constipation,  Diet  and 80 

Constipation,  Enema  for 79 

Constipation,  Food  for  Relieving 79 

Constipation,  Milk  as  a  Cause  of 4.5 

Constipation,  Remedy  for  Obstinate 79 

Contagious  Diseases  and  Bedbugs 199 

Contagiousness  of  Conjunctivitis 34 

Contagiousness  of  Dandruff 19 

Contagiousness  of  Pneumonia 115 

Convenience  in  the  Kitchen 206 

Convenience  of  Paper  Pad  in  the  Kitchen 203 

Convulsions,  Slight  and  Serious 49 

Convulsions,  Teething 49 

Convulsions,  Treatment  of  Child  during 49 

Cooking  Utensils,  Careful  Use  of 214 

Copper  and  Brass  Kettles,  To  Brighten 211 

Copperas  as  a  Disinfectant 257 

Cordial  for  Diarrhoea 95 

Corks,  Air-  and  Water-tight 206 

Corns,  Bread  Poultices  for 7 

Corns,  Iodine  for 8 

Corns,  Relieving  Painful 7 

Corns,  To  Get  Rid  of 7 

Corns,  Treatment  of  Soft 7 

Corns,  Use  of  the  Knife  for 7 

Corrosive  Sublimate,  Poisoning  by 131 

Cosmetic  Gloves  for  the  Hands 33 

Cosmetics  of  the  Kitchen  Garden 24 

Cotton  Batting  Sofa  Pillows 196 

Cotton  Batting,  Use  in  Dusting  Walls 161 

Cough,  Brown  Mixture  for  a 107 

Cough,  Cure  for  a 106 

Cough  Cures 106-107 

Cough  Mixture 108 

Cough,  Quick  Relief  for  a 108 

Cough,  Remedy  for  a' 106-107 

Coughs  and  Colds,  Balsam  for 106 

Coughs,  Horseradish  for 1 07 

Counter-irritation  over  Chest 104 

Counterpanes,  Utilizing  Worn,  as  Rushers 196 

Court  Plaster,  Liquid 39 

Covering,  Ironing-boards 242 

Cow's  Milk  and  Milk  Sugar 46 

Cow's  Milk  as  Infant  Food 46 

Cow's  Milk  for  Bottle  Baby 43 

Cow's  Milk  and  Sugar  for  Infants 43 

Cow's  Milk,  Salted,  and  Lime  Water  for  Infants 43 

Cracking  Nuts  with  the  Teeth 11 

Cracks  in  Furniture,  Filling  Unsightly 182 

Cracks  in  Plaster,  Filling 24S 

Cracks  in  Plastering,  To  Mend 193 

Cramps,  Bed  Raising  cure  for P] 

Cramps  in  the  Leg,  Treatment  of 90 

Cramps,  Relief  of 91 

Cramps,  Hot  Water  for 55 

Cranberry  Treatment  of  Erysipelas 123 

XII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Crape,  To  Freshen 167 

Craving  for  Alcohol,  To  Allay  the 124 

Creaking  Bed  Slats,  Doing  Away  with 196 

Creamy  or  Yellow  Tinted  Starch 240 

Creosote  Applied  to  Carious  Teeth 15 

Creosote,  Poisoning  by 131 

Crimping  the  Hair 20 

Croup,  Hot  Water  for  Relief  of 53 

Croup,  Remedy  for 109 

Cruelty  of  Exposing  Children 48 

Crying  Infants  and  Pain 47 

Cucumber  Juice  for  Sunbtim 23 

Cucumber  Milk 27 

Cure  for  a  Cough 106 

Cure  for  Drunkenness 124 

Cure  for  Dysentery 96 

Cure  for  a  Felon Ipl 

Cure  for  Hives 123 

Cure  for  Indigestion  of  Children 48 

Cure  for  Liver  Spots 22 

Cure  for  Prickly  Heat 123 

Cure  for  Rheumatism 119 

Cure  for  Ringworm 122 

Cure  of  Hysteria 53 

Cure  of  Sciatica  by  Freezing 121 

Curing  Constipation 78 

Curing  Hiccoughs 69 

Curing  Offensive  Breath 13 

Curing  a  Soft  Com 7 

Curing  a  Toothache  Effectually 14 

CurUng  Feathers 176 

Curling  Fluid  for  the  Hair 20 

Curling,  To  Prevent  Rug  Edges  from 156 

Curtains,  Muslin,  To  Place  on  Rod 189 

Cushions  of  Milk  Weed  Pods 195 

Cut  Glass.  Washing 209 

Cuts,  Flour  a  Remedy  for 78 

Cuts  and  Wounds,  Binding 38 

Cutting  Stencils 251 

Cyanide  Gas  a  Deadly  Poison 2G0 

DaUy  Caloric  Requirement 88 

Daily  Care  of  Lamps 215 

Daily  Quantity  of  Water  Needed . 51 

Damaged  Caster  Supports,  Repairing 183 

Damp  Beds,  To  Test  for 196 

Damp  Cellars,  Removing  Smells  from 262 

Dandruff 19 

Dandruff  Believed  to  be  Contagious 19 

Dandruff,  Its  Causes 19 

Dandruff,  Listerine  for 20 

Dandruff  of  Brows  and  Lashes 21 

Dandruff,  To  Prevent 19 

Dandruff,  Two  Kinds  of 19 

Danger  of  Nursing  Bottles  with  Glass  Tubes 42 

Danger  of  Poisons  Left  in  Bottles 127 

Danger  of  Purgatives 81 

Danger  of  Using  Acetanilid  for  Headaches 70 

Danger  of  Using  Headache  Powders 70 

Danger  of  Using  Old  Tinctures 113 

Dangers  of  a  Scratch 39 

Dark  Mahogany  Stain 244 

Dark  Wash  Goods,  Starching  of 239 

XIII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Death  Rate  of  Pulmonary  Consumption 108 

Deep  Dishpan  in  Dish  Washing 213 

Dentition  More  Severe  in  Winter 15 

Dentition,  Painful 15 

Dents  in  Wood,  To  Remove 181 

Deodorants,  Charcoal  as  a 250 

Destroying  Bedbugs 198 

Develop,  Arms  and  Legs,  To 38 

Dextrinized  and  Malt  Foods,  Advantages  of 48 

Diabetes,  Treatment  of 118 

Diarrhea,  Blackberry  and  Wine  Cordial  for 95 

Diarrhea,  Hot  Lemonade  in 95 

Diarrhea,  Infantile 95 

Diarrhea  Mixture  (Loomis') 95 

Diarrhea,  Orange  Peel  Tea  for 95 

Diarrhea,  Treatment  of  Summer 94 

Diet  and  Constipation 80 

Diet  and  Hardening  of  the  Arteries 99-100 

Diet  for  Excess  of  Fat 67 

Diet  in  Nervous  Dyspepsia 85 

Difficulty  of  Curing  Neuralgia 71 

DigestibiUty  of  Milk 44 

Digestion,  Minerals  as  an  Aid  to 52 

Dining  Table  Hushers 196 

Diphtheria  Bacillus  and  Milk 101 

Diphtheria,  its  Causes  and  Contagiousness. 100 

Diphtheria,  Treatment  of 101-102 

Disease  Germs  in  Water 52 

Diseases  Nesting  in  Tooth  Cavities 13 

Dishcloths  of  Mosquito  Netting 213 

Dish  Drainer 212 

Dishes,  How  to  Wash 211 

Dish  Washing,  Advantage  of  Deep  Dishpan 123 

Disguising  Taste  of  Cod-liver  OiL 62 

Disinfectant,  Chloride  of  Zinc  as  a. 257 

Disinfectant,  Copperas  as  a 257 

Disinfectant,  Fire  the  True 258 

Disinfectant,  Pine  Tar  Burning  as  a 256 

Disinfectants,  Bleaching  Agents  as 162 

Disinfectants,  Coal-tar 257 

Disinfectants  in  the  House 256-260 

Disinfecting  the  Telephone  Mouthpiece 258 

Disinfecting  the  Toilet  Bowl 201 

Disinfection,  Sulphur 258 

Dr.  Johnson's  Diet  for  Excess  of  Fat 67 

Doctors,  and  Food  for  Dyspeptics 84 

Dr.  Unna's  Prescription  for  Comedones 26 

Dogs  and  Cats  Causes  of  Fleas  in  the  House 261 

Don'ts  for  the  Sick  Room 55-58 

Dosage  for  Children,  Rule  of 63 

Douche  for  Inflamed  Vagina 48 

Douche  for  Leucorrhea  and  Inflamed  Vagina 48 

Down  Pillows,  Making 197 

Draft,  Danger  of,  to  Canaries 263 

Drafts,  Screen  for  Preventing 198 

Draining  Board,  Zinc  Covering  for 203 

Draught  to  Promote  the  Appetite 84 

Dreaming,  To  Prevent 91 

Dresser  Drawers  that  Run  Hard 32 

Dressing  Wounds  by  Compresses 39 

Dress  Shields,  Washing  Soiled 233 

Dried  Paint,  Removing,  from  Clothing 171 

Drinking  Hot  Water 54 

XIV 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Drinking  Water  before  Retiring 51 

Driving  Ants  from  Refrigerator 221 

Dropping  Medicine  into  l^e  Eye 36 

Drugging  in  Nervous  Dyspepsia 85 

Drugs,  Danger  of.  Used  for  Headache 70 

Drunkards  Predisposed  to  Pneumonia 114 

Drunkenness,  Cure  for 124 

Dry  Flour  for  Cleaning 214 

Drying  Bottles  and  Lamp  Chimneys 204 

Drying  Lace  Curtains 175 

Drying  White  and  Colored  Clothes 230 

Drying  Scrubbed  Carpets 157 

Drying  Scrubbed  Rugs 157 

Dull  Gold  Cleaning 192 

Durability  of  Boiled  Clothes-pins 235 

Dusting  in  General 215 

Dusting,  Use  of  Round  Paint  Brush  for 161 

Dusting  Walls,  Using  Cotton  Batting  for 161 

Dustless  Sweeping 159 

Dusty  Walls,  To  Brush  Down 161 

Dyeing  Gloves 186 

Dyeing  Gloves  Black 186 

Dyeing  Gloves  Brown 186 

Dyeing  Gloves  Fancy  Shades. 186 

Dyeing  Gloves  Gray 186 

Dyes,  To  Make  Fast 231 

Dysentery,  Cure  for 96 

Dysentery,  Eggs  as  a  Remedy  for 96 

Dyspepsia,  and  Quick  Eating 83 

Dyspepsia,  Study  of  Each  Case 84 

Ear,  Cleaning  the 37 

Earache,  Adenoids  Causing 37 

Earache,  Chloroform  for , 37 

Earache,  Liniment  for 37 

Earache,  Remedies  for 37 

Earthenware,  Cracks  in.  To  Remove 206 

Easing  Pinching  Shoes 188 

Easily  Emptied  Laundry  Bag 235 

Easily  Made  Buttermilk 46 

Easy  Turning  of  Mattresses 197 

Ebony  Stain 244 

Eczema  of  the  Nipple,  Application  for 124 

Eczema,  Success  in  the  Treatment  of 28 

Eczema,  Treatment  of 28 

Edge  To  ok.  Accidents  from 38 

Eggsifor  Bums 73 

Eggs  for  Dysentery 96 

Eggs  for  Hoarseness 103 

Eiderdown  Comforters,  Renewing 197 

Embroidered  Pieces,  Ironing 24 1 

Embroideries,  Washing 231 

Embroidery  in  Crewels  or  Silk,  To  Wash 234 

Empty  Casks,  To  Keep  Sweet 261 

Emulsion  of  Cod-liver  Oil 64 

Enema 81 

Enema  for  Constipation 79 

Enemas,  Hot,  for  Appendicitis 68 

Enemas,  Judicious  tJse  of 80 

Enemata,  Glycerine  in 80 

Enameled  Iron  Sinks,  To  Clean 210 

Enamelware  Utensils,  To  Clean  Badly  Burned 211 

Eradicator  for  Grease  Spots 169 

XV 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Erysipelas,  Cranberry  Treatment  of 123 

Excess  of  Fat ,  Diet  for 67 

Excessive  Moisture  of  Hands  and  Feet 9 

Extinguishing  Burning  Clothes 74 

Extinguishing  a  Fire  Immediately 222 

Extinguishing  Flames  of  Kerosene 217 

Extinguishing  Lamps 217 

Eye,  Eye-Drops  into  the 34 

Eye,  Something  in  the 35-36 

Eyes,  Advice  about  the 35-36 

Eyes,  Causes  of  Injury  to  the 36 

Eyes,  Children's  Inflamed 35 

Eyes,  Oculist's  Advice  about  the 35-36 

Eyes,  Petit's  Salve  for  the 35 

Eyes,  Potatoes  for  Inflamed 33 

Eyes,  Tired 34 

Eyebrows,  Blackening  the 21 

Eyebrows,  Dandruff  of 21 

Eyebrows,  Improving  Thin  and  Small 20 

Eyebrows,  Pomade  for 21 

Eyelash  Stain  (Chinese) 20 

Eyelids  Indicating  Strain  of  the  Eye 34 

Fabrics.  To  Bleach 162 

Face  Lotions  and  Pastes 22-24 

Face  Wash,  Tea  as  a 22 

Fading,  To  Prevent  Colored  Hosiery  from 232 

Fading,  To  Prevent  Red  Napkins  from 231 

Fainting  Persons,  Treatment  of 68 

False  Kettle  Bottom 208 

Farmers  and  Pneumonia 115 

Fastening  Shade  on  a  Roller 189 

Fastening  Shoe  Buttons 188 

Fastening  'Window  Shades  Easily 189 

Fat  Habit  to  be  Feared 66 

Fat,  Dr.  Johnson's  Diet  for  Excess  of 67 

Fat,  Uses  of  Accumulated 227 

Fatigue,  Quick  Relief  from 8 

Feather  Beds  and  Sunshine 196 

Feather  Pillows,  Removing  Unpleasant  Smells  from 196 

Feathers,  Bleaching  Fine 163 

Feathers,  Bleaching  with  Peroxide  of  Hydrogen 164 

Feathers  for  Beds 198 

Feathers,  To  Make  Pillows  of  Chicken 198 

Feathers.  To  Curl 176 

Feathers,  Transferring  to  Pillows 197 

Feeding  Baby  at  Four-hour  Intervals 42 

Feeding,  Difficulty  of 47 

Feeding,  Two-year-old  Child 41 

Feet,  Care  of  the 6 

Feet,  Dressing  the 6 

Feet,  Moisture  of  the 9 

Feet,  Nails  of  the 6 

Feet,  Perspiring 9 

Felon.  Cure  for  a 121 

Felon ,  Hot  Water  Cure  for  a 65 

Filling  for  Open  Cracks  In  Floors 194 

Filter,  Quick 204 

Filtering  Boiled  Water 52 

Filtering  Rain  Water 201 

Finger  Marks  on  Furniture,  To  Remove 181-182 

Finishing  Silk 243 

Fire  Extinguisher 75 

XVI 


INDEX 

PACK 

Fire  Extinguishing  Immediately 222 

Fire-irons,  Preserving  from  Rust 22.5 

Fireplace,  Advantage  of  a 98 

Fire,  the  True  Disinfectant 258 

Fish  and  Artificial  Ice 219 

Fish  Bone,  To  Dislodge  a 65 

Fistula,  Remedy  for 83 

Fitting  Footwear.  Time  for 187 

Fixing  Blue  Shades  when  Washing 231 

Fixing  Dyes,  Sa.lt  and  Vinegar  for 232 

Five-foot  Gas  Burner 217 

Flannel  Clothing.  Cleaning  White ISO 

Flannel,  Shrinking 238 

Flannel  to  I'revent  Chills 47 

Flannels  a:id  the  Use  of  Soap 237 

Flannels,  To  Remove  Stains  from 107 

Flannels.  To  Whiten 238 

Flapping  of  Window  Shades 189 

Flat-foot,  Prevention  of,  in  Children 40 

Flat-foot,  Prophylaxis  of 40 

Flatirons,  Advantages  of  Heavy 242 

Flatirons,  Tempering  Old 242 

Flatulence  and  Colic 82 

Flatulent  Dyspepsia,  Remedy  for 84 

Flaxseed,  To  Remove  Something  from  Eye 35 

Fleas.  Catching,  in  Barns 261 

Fleas,  Catching  with  Water  and  Oil 261 

Fleas,  Causes  of,  and  Destruction 261 

Fleshworms,  Black  Points,  etc 26 

Fleshy  Woman,  Advice  to  a 66 

Floor  Coverings,  Denim  for  Nursery  Floors 154 

Floor  Staining 243 

Floors,  Improving  Stained 244 

Floors.  Slate.  To  Polish 158 

Floors,  Staining  Parlor 244 

Floors,  To  Polish 245 

Floors,  Varnishing 243 

Floors,  Wax  Polishing 245 

Florida  Water 4 

Flour,  a  Remedy  for  Cuts 78 

Flour  Paste 248 

Flour  Paste  in  Whitewash 256 

Flour  Paste,  Soft 248 

Fluid  for  Laundry 228 

Flowera  of  Magnesia  Clean  White  Zephyr  Articles 166 

Folding  Coat  for  Traveling 178 

Folding  Trousers 178 

Food.  Advantage  of  Chewing 84 

Food  and  Ice  in  the  Refrigerator 219 

Food,  Buttermilk  as  a 46 

Food  Fakers  and  Frauds 84 

Food  of  the  Aged 84 

Food  of  the  Growing  Child 84 

Food  to  be  Avoided  by  Nervous  Dyspeptic 85 

Food,  Water  as  a 51 

Foods  for  Children  under  Three  Years 42 

Foods  Poor  in  Starch  and  Sugar 66 

Foods  for  Relieving  Constipation 79 

Foods  the  Constipated  Must  Avoid 79 

Foods  to  be  Avoided  in  Rheumatism 119 

Foot  Trouble,  Physician  to  be  Consulted  for 40 

Formaldehyde  Moth  Repellant 159 

Formula  for  Reducing  Flesh 67 

XVII 


INDEX 

PAFE 

Frayed  Shirts,  Mending 177 

Freckles,  Horseradish  for 27 

Freckles,  Removing 27-23 

Freckles,  Treatment  with  Lactic  Acid 27 

Freezing  Linen,  Mistake  in 230 

French  Gold  Ornaments,  Cleaning 191 

French  Rouge 24 

Fresh  Air  Cure  for  Nervousness 89 

Fresh  Air  for  the  Complexion 22 

Fresh  Air  Inlet  in  Bedrooms 195 

Fresh  Air  in  the  House 98-99 

Fresh  Cow's  Milk  for  Bottle  Baby 43 

Freshening  Black  Kid  Gloves 185 

Freshening  Marred  and  Crushed  Furs 179 

Freshening  Rusty  Black  Lace 175 

Freshening  Veils  smd  Crape 167 

Fresh  Lime  to  Dry  a  Cellar 262 

Friction  as  Remedy  for  Sprains. 76 

Fruit  Acids,  Their  Value 22 

Fruit  Jar  Covers,  Putty  for  Defective 207 

Fruit  Stains,  Removing,  from  Linen 165 

Fruit  Stains,  Removing  Old 165 

Frying  Pans,  Cleaning  Insidea  of. 214 

Fumigants  for  Bedbugs 199 

Fumigate,  How  to 259 

Fumigation  Table,  Designating  Rooma,  Capacity,  etc 259 

Furnace,  To  Minimize  Dust  from  a 262 

Furniture,  Bamboo,  Treatment  of 183 

Furniture,  Candle  Grease,  To  Remove  from 181 

Furniture,  Care  and  Improvement  of 180 

Furniture.  Handy  Polish  for 190 

Furniture,  Removing  White  Spots  on 180 

Furniture,  Rosewood,  To  Look  Well 181 

Furniture,  Simple  Polish  for 189 

Furniture  Coverings,  To  Prevent  being  Moth-eaten 159 

Furniture,  Unsightly  Cracks  filled  in 182 

Furniture,  Wicker.  To  Clean 182 

Furs,  Cleaning  Dark 179 

Furs,  Light,  To  Clean 179 

Furs  Marred  and  Crushed,  To  Freshen 179 

Furs,  Protecting  from  Moths 158 

Furs,  Repairing 179 

Furs  Stored  in  Tar  Paper 159 

Gall-stones,  Rational  Treatment  of 55-56 

Galvanized-iron  Pails  and  Drinking  Water 201 

Gargle  for  Husky  Throat 103 

Garments,  Cloth,  To  Clean 180 

Garments,  Cloth,  To  Iron 180 

Garments,  Ripping  Apart  before  Cleaning 168 

Gasoline,  Adding  Salt  to  Prevent  Stains 166 

Gasoline,  Advantages  when  Using  on  a  Broom 161 

Gasoline,  Coat  Collars  and 178 

Gastric  Troubles,  Glycerine  in 82 

Gastro-intcstinal  Catarrh 97 

Gastric  Ulcer,  Rest  and  Diet  for 96 

Germ  Collectors,  Sponges  as 201 

Gilt  Articles,  Cleaning 192 

Gilt  Frames,  Cleaning 152,  191 

Gilt  Frames,  Cleaning  with  Hot  Alcohol 152 

Gilt  Frames,  Soft  Brush  for  Cleaning 151 

Ginghams  Not  to  Be  Soaped 234 

Girls,  Appetite  of 83 

XVIII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Girls,  Maturity  Age  of 50 

Girls,  Mother's  Ad\4ce  at  Maturity  of 50 

Girls,  Unnatural  Appetites  Among 65 

Glass  or  Porcelain  v  essels.  To  Cleanse 209 

Glass,  To  Obscure 205 

Glass,  Washboard,  Advantages  of 232 

Glass  Stoppers,  To  Loosen 210 

Glass  Tubes  in  Nursing  Bottles,  Danger  of 42,45 

Glazing  Linen 239 

Gloss  Removed  from  Black  SUk 172 

Gloves,  Advice  as  to  Selecting 184 

Gloves.  Black  Cotton,  To  Prevent  Crocking 185 

Gloves,  Buying,  How  to  Examine 184 

Gloves,  Care  of 184 

Gloves,  Chamois,  To  Wash 186 

Gloves,  Cleaning  Light 184 

Gloves.  Cleaning  with  Stale  Bread 185 

Gloves,  Cosmetic,  for  the  Hands 33 

Gloves.  Dyeing 186 

Gloves,  Dyeing  Black 186 

Gloves,  Finding  Broken  Stitches  in 184 

Gloves.  Milk  as  a  Cleanser  of 185 

Gloves.  Preparing  before  Dyeing 186 

Gloves.  Putting  on 184 

Gloves.  Restoring  Rusty  Black  Kid 185 

Gloves.  Spongy  Rubber  for  Cleaning 185 

Gloves,  Tests  for  Good  Quality  of 184 

Gloves,  Washing  Chamois  Leather 150 

Glue,  Excellent 195 

Glue.  Marine 195 

Glue  or  Cement  Bottles,  Greasing  Cork  for 195 

Glue,  Resisting  the  Action  of  Water 195 

Glue,  To  Strengthen 195 

Glycerine  and  Chapped  Lips 25 

Glycerine  and  Castor  Oil  Leather  Preservative 187 

Glycerine  in  Gastric  Troubles 82 

Glycerine  (Transparent)  Jolly 26 

Glycerine  in  Enemata 80 

Glycerine  Removes  Stains  of  Long  Standing 165 

Glycerine,  Shoe  Dressing  of 186 

Goat  Skin  Rug,  Cleaning  a  White 157 

Gold  and  Silver,  Cleaning  Articles  of 191 

Gold  Embroidery,  Cleaning  Tarnished 191 

Gold  Lace,  Cleaning 191 

Gold,  Simple  Test  for 192 

Gossamer  Waterproof.  Care  of 176 

Gout.  Relief  of 118 

Graniteware,  Mending  with  Rivets 194 

Grass  Stains.  Removing  with  Alcohol 166 

Grater  for  Scraping  Kettles 211 

Gray  Fabrics,  Restoring 163 

Grease  Eradicator 169 

Grease  on  Painted  Woodwork,  To  Remove. 203 

Grease  Spot,  Mixture  to  Eradicate 169 

Greas3  Spot  in  Matting,  To  Remove 158 

Grease  Spots,  Removing  from  Carpets 154 

Grease  Spots,  Removing  from  Cloth 169 

Grease  Spots,  Remo\'ine  from  Colored  Materials 169 

Grease  Spots,  Several  Ways  to  Remove 170 

Grease  Stains,  Removing  from  Books 153 

Grease.  Ways  to  Get  Rid  of 215 

Grease,  V  hen  Spilling  Hot 206 

Greased  Cork  for  Glue  or  Cement  Bottles 195 

XIX 


INDEX 

PAGB 

Green  Color  Made  Fast  in  Wash  Dresses 2r:2 

Green  Food  for  Canaries 2C4 

Griddles,  Wire-screen 2,  2 

Growing  Child,  Food  of  the £4 

Gunpowder  Stains,  Removing  from  Face 23 

Hair  and  Scalp,  Care  of 16 

Hair,  Cleansing  the 17 

Hair,  Crimping  the 20 

Hair,  Curling  Fluid  for  the 20 

Hair,  Cutting  Women's 16 

Hair,  Favorite  Hair  Dressing 17 

Hair,  How  Women  Spoil  their 16 

Hair,  Jaborandi  Tonic  for  the 20 

Hair,  Loosening  at  Night 16 

Hair,  Restorative  for  Dry 18 

Hair,  Rosemary  for  the 17 

Hair,  Sage  Tea  for  the 17 

Hair,  Shampoo  for  Oily 19 

Hair,  Superfluous 20 

Hair,  Tea  for  the 17 

Hair  Brush,  Cleaning 16 

Hair  Dye,  Black 21-22 

Hair  Dye,  Destructiveness  of 21 

Hair  Dye,  Walnut 21 

Hair  Restorer,  Cantharides 17 

Hair  Restorers,  Lead  in 17 

Halls,  Staining 245 

Hand,  American  and  English 31 

Hand  as  a  Suction  Pump  for  Sinks 228 

Hand,  The  Onyx  of  the 31 

Hands,  Application  for  the,  after  Weekly  Washing 30 

Hands,  Care  of  the 30-33 

Hands,  Cold  Cream  for  Coarse 30 

Hands,  Cosmetic  Gloves  for  the 33 

Hands,  Lemon  for  Hard  and  Homy 30 

Hands,  Moist,  Remedy  for 32 

Hands,  Oil  and  Honey  for  Chapped 31 

Hands,  Ointment  to  Soften  the 33 

Hands,  Petroleum  Jelly  for  the 30 

Hands,  Proper  Care  of  the 33 

Hands,  Salve  for  the 33 

Hands,  To  Soften  Rough 33 

Hands,  Sweet  Cream  for  the 31 

Hands,  To  Remove  Tar  from  the 33 

Hands,  To  Keep  in  Condition 31 

Hanging  Coats 173 

Hanging  Trousers 178 

Hard  Brushing  of  the  Scalp 18 

Hard  Brushes  for  the  Teeth 11 

Hard  Cement  for  Seams 194 

Hardening  of  the  Arteries 99 

Hat,  Brushing  Derby 17S 

Hat,  Brushing  Wet  Silk 178 

Hat,  White  Straw,  To  Remove  Stain  on 178 

Hay  Fever,  Atropine  and  Morphine  for Ill 

Hay  Fever,  Olive  Oil  and  Camphor  for Ill 

Headache,  Autotoxemia  as  Cause  of 70 

Headache,  Copious  Nose  Secretion  as  Cause  of 70 

Headache,  Danger  of  Drugs  used  for 70 

Headache,  Exercising  Abdominal  Muscles  in  Sick 70 

Headache,  Head  Exercise  for  Relief  of 71 

Headache,  Hot  Water  Cure  of 53 

XX 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Headache,  Hot  Water  for 70 

Headache,  Muscle  Exercise  as  Cure  for  a 70 

Headache,  Sleep  a  Cure  for 71 

Head  Exercise  as  a  Relief  of  Headache 71 

Health.  The  Tongue  in 65 

Heartburn  and  Water-brash 87 

Heartburn,  Palliatives  for  Excessive  Pain  in 88 

Heartburn,  Treatment  of 87 

Heating  and  Ventilation  of  Houses 97 

Heavy  Bed-clothes,  To  Wash 238 

Heel  Caps,  Saving  Heels  of  Stockings 166 

Helps  in  the  Kitchen 201 

Hemorrhage  after  Tooth  Extraction 13 

Hemorrhoids,  Ointment  for 83 

Hiccough,  Specific  for 69 

Hiccough,  To  Cure 69 

Hiccough.  To  Stop 69 

Hints  on  Laundry  Bluing 237 

History  of  Tooth  Cavities 13 

Hives,  Cure  for 123 

Hoarseness,  Egg  for 103 

Hoarseness  of  Public  Singers 104 

Holder  for  Brushes  and  Brooms 161 

Holders  for  Stoves 224 

Holders  Made  from  Stockings _ 224 

Home  Accessories  in  Obstetric  Practice 48 

Home,  Safety  Code  for  the 74 

Home  Made  Iron  Holders 241 

Home  Made  Laundry  Bluing 236 

Home  Made  Machine  Oil 235 

Home  Made  Skirt  Hanger 168 

Home  Made  Soap  Shaker 227 

Home  Made  Toilet  Waters 4 

Horseback  Riding  and  Nervous  Dyspepsia 85 

Horseradish  and  Coughs 107 

Horseradish  for  Removing  Freckles 27 

Hot-air  Pipes 98 

Hot  Bath  and  Sleeplessness 64 

Hot  Milk  as  a  Restorative 44 

Hot  Salted  Water  for  Insomnia 92 

Hot  Water  and  Bruises 78 

Hot  Water  as  an  Excitant 82 

Hot  Water  as  Complexion  Improver 64 

Hot  Water  and  the  Colicky  Baby 65 

Hot  Water  Bags,  Uses  for  Old 207 

Hot  Water  Bottles.  Jugs  as 196 

Hot  Water  Cure  for  a  Felon 55 

Hot  Water  Cure  for  Headache 53 

Hot  Water  Drinking 54 

Hot  Water  for  Babies 54 

Hot  Water  for  Cramps,  Spasms 55 

Hot  Water  for  Croup 53 

Hot  Water  for  Dishes  Containing  Dough 212 

Hot  Water  for  Headaches 70 

Hot  Water  for  Medicinal  Purposes 53 

Hot  Water  for  New-Bom  Babes. 55 

Hot  Water  for  Relief  of  Exhaustion 54 

Hot  Water  for  Sprains  or  Bruises 53 

Hot  Water  for  Stomach  Trouble 53 

Hot  Water  for  Wounds  and  Sores 54 

Hot  Water  in  Chronic  Gastric  Catarrh 95 

Hot  Water  and  Wrinkles  on  the  Face 29 

Hot  Water  Woman's  Best  Friend 53 

XXI 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Hot  Weather.  Keeping  Milk  and  Cream  in 46 

Household  Cements 193 

Houses,  Heating  and  Ventilation  of 97 

How  to  Take  a  Pill 112 

Hurriedly  Eaten  Food 86 

Huskiness,  Remedies  for 104 

Husky  Throat,  Gargle  for 103 

Hydrochloric  Acid,  Poisoning  by 129 

Hydro-Cyanic  Acid,  Poisoning  by 129 

Hydro-Cyanic  Gas  as  Substitute  for  Carbon-Sulphide 257 

Hydro-Cyanic  Gas  Deadly  to  House  Pests 257 

Hydro-Cyanic  Gas,  To  Use 257 

Hyposulphite  of  Soda  as  an  "Anti-Chlor"  in  Bleaching 162 

Hysteria,  Cure  of 53 

Ice-Box,  Necessity  of  Well-filled 221 

Ice  Breaking  for  Invalids 64 

Ice  Cream  Freezer  as  Improvised  Cakemixer 207 

Ice,  Proper  Placing  in  Refrigerator 220 

Ice-saving  Schemes,  Absurdity  of 219 

111  effects  of  Fish,  Vegetables,  etc.,  in  Refrigerator 221 

Illness  and  Impure  Water 51 

Improvement  for  Scraping  Kettles 211 

Improvement  of  Furniture 180 

Improving  a  Black  Eye 24 

Improving  Silks  and  Velvets 172 

Indelible  Ink  Stains,  Removing 172 

Indicator  for  Medicine  Taking  Time 63 

Indigestion,  Acute 86 

Indigestion  from  Failing  Glands 83 

Indigestion,  Liability  to  Acute 87 

Indigestion,  Remedies  for  Acute 87 

Indigestion,  Treatment  of  Ordinary  Forms  of 86 

Indigestion,  Use  of  Pepsin  in 86 

Indolent  Bowels  in  Aged  Persons 79 

Infant  Feeding  Schedule 42 

Infant,  Giving  Medicine  to  an 62 

Infantile  Diarrheas 95 

Infants,  Conditions  for  Rearing 48 

Infant's  Food,  Cow's  Milk  as  an ....  46 

Individuality  of  the  Baby 47 

Inflamed  Conditions  of  Vagina 48 

Inflamed  Eyes,  Children's 35 

Inflamed  Eyes,  Potatoes  for 33 

Inflammation  of  the  Gums 15 

Ingrowing  Nail,  Cause  of 8 

Ingrowing  Nail,  Treating  an 6 

Injection  to  Relieve  Child's  Convulsions 49 

Injury,  Causes  of,  to  the  Eye 36 

Injury  to  the  Foot 8 

Ink  Eraser,  Chloride  of  Lime  as  an 171 

Ink  Stains  in  Carpets,  To  Remove 155 

Ink  Stains,  Removing  from  Linen 171 

Ink  Stains,  Removing  from  Mahogany 182 

Ink  Stains,  Removing  Red 171 

Insect  Powder,  Using 206 

Insect  Powders  no  Avail  Against  Bedbugs 199 

Insects  in  the  Pot  Closet 206 

Insomnia,  Apples  and 91 

Insomnia,  Hot  Salted  Water  for 92 

Insomnia,  Cold  Water  and 92 

Internal  Piles 83 

Intestinal  Worms 82 

XXII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Invalids.  Cracked  Ice  for 102 

Invalid's  Hair,  To  Comb 18 

Iodine  and  Glycerine  Application 121 

Iodine  as  a  Corn  Cure 8 

Iodine  Stains,  Removing,  from  Hands. 167 

Iodine  Stains,  Removing,  from  Linen 167 

Iodine  Stains,  Removing,  from  Woodwork 182 

Iron  Holders,  Home  Made 241 

Ironing  Blankets 243 

Ironing  Cleaned  Cloth  Garments 180 

Ironing  Collars 240 

Ironing  Collars,  Rule  for 241 

Ironing  Embroidered  Pieces 24 1 

Ironing  Lace 175 

Ironing  Made  Less  Troublesome 240 

Ironing  Napkins 24 1 

Ironing,  Preparing  Napkins  for 238 

Ironing,  Preparing  Towels  for 238 

Ironing,  Removing  Scorching  from 241 

Ironing,  Rules  for  Facilitating 241-242 

Ironing  Starched  Things 240 

Ironing  Tablecloths 249 

Ironing-Boards,  Covering 242 

Iron  Pots  and  Pans,  To  Mend 194 

Iron-rust  Spots,  To  Remove 173 

Irons,  Keeping  Clear  and  Smooth 242 

Irons  Smoothed  Without  Using  Wax 242 

Ivory  Bleaching 164 

Ivory  Cement 193 

Ivory  Cleaning 164 

Ivory,  To  Polish 190 

Ivory  Knife  Handles,  to  Bleach 164 

Jaborandi  Tonic  for  the  Hair 20 

Jars  and  Cans,  To  Sweeten,  for  Use 207 

Jaundice,  Cure  for 93 

Jaundice,  Treatment  of 92 

avelle  Water,  An  Improved 163 

Javelle  Water,  Bicarbonate  of  Potassium  in 163 

Javelle  Water  Not  Good  for  Bleaching 163 

Jelly,  Glycerine,  Transparent 26 

Jewelry,  Cleaning 191 

Jugs  as  Hot  Water  Bottles 196 

Keeping  Apples  and  Potatoes 262 

Keeping  Irons  Clear  and  Smooth 242 

Kerosene  and  White  Spots  in  Refrigerator 221 

Kerosene  and  Linseed  Oil  to  Clean  Furniture 151 

Kerosene  Burning  Stoves,  Care  of 216 

Kerosene,  Cleaning  Natural  Woodwork  with 182 

Kerosene,  Cleaning  Oiled  Furniture  with 181 

Kerosene,  Extinguishing  Flames  of 217 

Kerosene  for  Soreness  of  Skin  Bums 73 

Kerosene,  its  Varied  Uses  in  the  House. 143-144 

Kerosene.  Lampblack  Stains,  To  Remove. 166 

Kerosene  to  Remove  Blood  Stains 166 

Kerosene  to  Remove  Odor  from  Tinware 211 

Kettle,  To  Prevent  Boiling  Over  of 206 

Kid  Gloves,  Ammonia  for  Cleaning 185 

Kid  Gloves,  Cleaning  with  Talcum  Powder 185 

Kid  Gloves,  To  Freshen  Black 185 

Kid  Shoes,  Cracking,  To  Prevent 187 

Kid  Shoes,  Restoring  Color  of 188 

XXIII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Kid  Slippers.  Cleaning 188 

Kitchen,  Coloring  Walls  of 246 

Kitchen  Convenience 206 

Kitchen,  Convenience  of  Paper  Pad  In  the 208 

Kitchen-garden  Cosmetics 24 

Kitchen  Helps  and  Conveniences 201 

Kitchen,  Lounge  in  the 201 

Kitchen,  Removing  Match  Marks  on  Walls  of 246 

Kitchen,  Rocking  Chair  in  the 201 

Kitchen,  Rugs,  their  Value  in  the 201 

Kitchen,  Sash  Curtains,  to  Use  in 205 

Kitchen,  Scales  in  the 205 

Kitchen,  Uses  for  Little  Scrubbing  Brushes  in  the 208 

Kitchen,  Uses  for  Screw-eyes  in  the 208 

Kitchen,  Uses  of  Ammonia  in  the 227 

Kitchen,  Use  of  Light  Wall  Paper  in 205 

Kitchen,  Using  Insect  Powder  about  the 206 

Kitchen,  Varied  Use  of  Newspapers  in  the 204 

Kitchen,  Ventilation  in 201 

Kitchen  and  Dining-room,  Advantage  of  Opening  in  Wall  Between 203 

Kitchen  Shelves,  Painting,  and  the  Size  of 203 

Kitchen  Stove,  Advantages  of  Zinc  before 203 

Kitchen  Tables,  Zinc  Covering  for 203 

Knives  for  Stencil  Cutting 252 

Lace,  Cleaning,  with  Talcum  Powder 175 

Lace,  Ironing 175 

Lace,  Not  Usually  Starched 175 

Lace,  "Pressing"  with  a  Bottle 175 

Lace,  Washing,  Points  about 174 

Lace  Curtains,  Directions  for  Washing 174 

Lace  Curtains,  Doing  up  without  Stretchers 174 

Lace  Curtains,  Don'ts  when  Cleaning 175 

Lace  Curtains,  Drying  on  a  Mattress 175 

Lace  Curtains,  Mending 174 

Lace  Curtains,  Shaking  before  Washing 174 

Lace  Curtains,  Starching 174 

Lace  Curtains,  Stretching 174 

Lace  Door-panel,  Washing 175 

Lampblack,  Removing  from  Cloth 166 

Lamp  Chimneys,  Cleaning 215 

Lamp  Chimneys,  For  Drying  Bottles  and 204 

Lamp  Chimneys,  To  Prevent  Breakage  of 216 

Lamps,  Advantage  for  Eyes  of  Student  or  Worker 215 

Lamps,  Cement  for  Fastening  Tops  of 217 

Lamps,  Daily  Care  of 215 

Lamps,  Extinguishing,  Correct  Way 217 

Lamps,  Metal  Reservoirs  the  Safest 217 

Lamps,  Necessity  of  Full  Reservoir  of 21G 

Lamps,  Washing  Chimneys  of 216 

Lamps,  Wicks  for 215-216 

Lamp  Wicks,  Advantage  of  Soaking  in  Vinegar 216 

Lamp  Wicks,  To  Relieve  Sticking  of 210 

Lamp  Wicks,  Requirements  of  Good 217 

Large  Fleshy  Noses,  To  Reduce 26 

Lash-growing  Lotion 21 

Laudanum  or  Paregoric  Poisoning 127 

Laundering  Fine  Lingerie  Waists 236 

Laundering  Garment  for  Immediate  Wear 236 

Laundering  Linen  and  Denim 234 

Laundering  Quilts 239 

Laundry,  Bag  for  the 86,  234 

Laundry,  Cleaning  Muslin  and  Scrim 230 

XXIV 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Laundry,  Fine  Clothes,  Treatment  of 230 

Laundry   Freezing  Linen,  Mistake  in  Allowing 230 

Laundry,  Knit  Wear,  to  Finish  in  the 242 

Laundry,  Mode  of  Separating  Pieces 228 

Laundry,  Rinsing  Black  Goods 231 

Laundry,  Rinsing  Towei3  in  Cold  Weather 230 

Laundry,  Soaking  Clothes 228 

Laundry,  Stains  Removed 229 

Laundry,  Table  Linen,  Care  of,  In  the 229 

Laundry.  To  Soften  Water 236 

Laundry,  Treatment  of  Waists 230 

Laundry,  Washing  Fluid 228 

Laundry,  Yellowed  White  Clothes,  To  Whiten 230 

Lavender  Water 45 

Laying  Linoleum 218 

Lazy  Bowels  vs.  Paralyzed  Bowels 78 

Lead  Foil  in  Stencilling 251 

Lead  in  Hair  Restorer 17 

Lead,  Poisoning  by  Sugar  of 131 

Leaks  about  Chimneys 193 

Leaky  Wash  Tubs,  To  Remedy 235 

Leanness  and  Obesity,  Cause  of 68 

Leanness  and  Stoutness 66 

Leanness,  Cause  of 68 

Leanness,  Remedy  for 67 

Leatner,  Chamois  Leather  Gloves,  To  Wash 150 

Leather  Chair-seats,  To  Revive 149 

Leather,  Cleaning  Buckskin  Riding  Trousers 149 

Leather,  Dressing  for  Black 149 

Leather,  Moisture  to  Soften 149 

Leather,  Neatsfoot  Oil  for 149 

Leather,  Restoring  Color  of 149 

Leather,  Reviving  Leather  Chairs  and  Sofas 149 

Leather,  Softening 188 

Leather,  To  Clean  Wash 150 

Left  0\^er  Wall-paper,  Use  for 247 

Lemon  and  Salt  for  Mildew 106 

Lemon  Juice,  Remov4ng  Iron  Rust  with 201 

Lemon  Peel  for  Removing  Tar  from  Hands 33 

Lemons,  Use  of 139-141 

Leucorrhea,  Douche  for 48 

Light,  Most  Pleasant  to  Work  by 36 

Lighting  Fire  in  a  Stove,  Avoiding  Smoke  when 225 

Lime  in  Whitewash 255 

Lime,  To  Remove,  from  Iron  Pot 211 

Lime  Water  and  Milk  for  Infants 43 

Lime  Water,  Preparation  of 41 

Linen  and  Denim,  Laundering 234 

Linen,  Glazing 239 

Linen,  Remo\'ing  Ink  Spot  from 171 

Linen,  Removing  Fruit  Stains  from 165 

Linen,  Removing  Rust  from 170 

Linen,  Removing  Wine  Stains  from 170 

Linens.  To  Remove  Tea  or  Coffee  Stains  from 165 

Lingerie  Waists.  Laundering 236 

Liniment,  A  Good 122 

Liniment.  A  Fine  Soap 122 

Liniment,  A  Useful 122 

Liniment  for  Earache 37 

Linoleum,  Advantage  of  Varnishing 218 

Linoleum  and  Oil  Cloth 218 

Linoleum,  Cleaning  New 218 

Linoleum,  La>ang 21S 

XXV 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Linoleum,  Secret  of  Laying 218 

Linoleum,  Scrubbing  an  Injury  to 218 

Linoleum.  To  Keep  Bright 218 

Linseed  Oil  for  Scratches  on  Furniture 181 

Linseed  Poultice 61 

Lip  Salve 25 

Liquid  Bluing  which  Never  Settles 237 

Liquid  Court  Plaster 39 

Liquid  Powder  and  Its  Use 22 

Liquid  Stove  Blacking 222 

Listerine  as  Dandruff  Cure 20 

Liver,  Remedy  for  a  Torpid 79 

Liver  Spots,  Cure  for. 22 

Local  Treatment  of  Chronic  Gout 118 

Lockjaw  and  Foot  Injury 8 

Loosen  Glass  Stoppers,  To 210 

Loss  of  Hair,  Treatment  of 17 

Lotion  for  Perspiring  Hands 32 

Lotion  for  the  Eyelashes 21 

Lotion,  Skin 29 

Lounge  in  the  Kitchen 201 

Lumbago,  Cure  for 120 

Lumbago,  Instantaneous  Remedy  for 120 

Lungs,  Ascertaining  the  State  of  the 113 

Machine  Oil,  Home  Made 235 

Mackintosh,  Cleaning  a 177 

Mahogany,  Cleaning  Siained 182 

Mahogany,  Removing  Ink  Stains  from 182 

Mahogany  Stain 243 

Mailing  Tube  as  Hanger  in  Bathroom 200 

Malt  Foods,  Advantage  of 48 

Man's  Wardrobe,  Care  of 178 

Marble  Mantel,  Cleaning 206 

Marine  Glue 1S5 

Marks  on  Varnished  Wood,  To  Remove 181 

Marking  Window  Screens 202 

Masks  for  the  Complexion 24 

Massage  of  Face  for  Wrinkles 29 

Massage  the  Bowels,  To 81 

Massaging  the  Scalp 16 

Match  M  arks,  To  Remove  from  Walls 246 

Mated  Canary  Birds 263 

Materials  for  Stencilling 251 

Mating  Periods  of  Canaries 263 

Matting,  Brightening  with  Borax 158 

Matting,  Metal  Binding  of 158 

Matting,  Preserving 157 

Matting,  Sweeping  Clean 158 

Mattings,  Washing 157 

Mattings  as  Carpet  Padding  When  Old 157 

Mattress,  Quilt  to  Protect 196 

Mattresses,  Easy  Turning  of 197 

Maturity  of  Girls 50 

Means  of  Emptying  the  Bladder 60 

Meat  Grinder,  Uses  of  a 203 

Meat  in  Coxstaet  with  Ice 219 

Medicine,  £,ye  Dropping 36 

Medicine,  Giving  to  an  Infant 62 

Medicine,  Proper  Times  to  Take 62 

Medicines,  Removing  Bitter  Taste  of 61-62 

Melon  Juice  for  Sunburn 23 

Mending  Broken  Plaster  Cast 193 

XXVI 


INDEX 

PAGB 

Mending  Celluloid  Articles 193 

Manding  Cracks  in  Plastering 193 

Mending  Frayed  Skirts 177 

Mending  Graniteware 194 

Mending  Lace 174 

Mending  Large  Holes  In  Underwear 177 

Mending  Leaky  Wash-tub 234 

Mending  Rubbers 176-177 

Men's  Clothes,  Soap  Bark  as  Cleaner  of 168 

Messes  and  Left-overs  in  the  Refrigerator 220 

Metal  and  Glass.  Cement  to  Hold  Together 193 

Metal  Lamps  the  Safest 217 

Metals  Rusting,  To  Prevent 225 

Method  of  Breaking  Ice  for  Invalids 64 

Methylated  Spirt  for  Cleaning  Window,  Picture  and  Looking  Glass 205 

Mica,  Cleaning 222 

Mildew,  Buttermilk  Removes 166 

Mildew  Removed  by  Green  Tomatoes 166 

Mildew,  Removing,  from  Awnings,  etc 167 

Mildew,  Removing,  with  Chloride  of  Lime 167 

Mildew,  Salt  and  Lemon  Juice  for 166 

Milk  a  Constipating  Medium 45 

Milk  and  Buttermilk  as  Nutritive  Agents 45 

Milk  and  Butter,  Covering,  in  Refrigerator 220 

Milk  and  Cream,  Keeping  in  Hot  Weather 46 

Milk  and  Diphtheria  Bacillus 101 

Milk  and  Personal  Peculiarities 45 

Milk  as  a  Cause  of  Typhoid 46 

Milk  as  a  Glove  Cleanser 185 

Milk  as  a  Shoe  Preservative 187 

Milk,  Boiling 43 

Milk,  Boiling,  and  Scurvy 43 

Milk,  Boiling,  During  Summer  Months 43 

Milk,  Digestibility  of 44 

Milk  for  Sunburn 22 

Milk,  Home-Made  Sterilizer  for 45 

Milk,  Hot,  as  a  Restorative 44 

Milk,  Making  Pleasant  for  Sick  Child 43 

Milk,  Modified 46 

Milk,  Pasteurizing 43 

Milk,  Scalded  or  Boiled 47 

Milk,  Seven  Ages  of 44 

Milk,  Soothing  Effect  of  Hot 45 

Milk  Strainer,  To  Wash 212 

Milk  Sugar  and  Cows'  Milk 46 

Milk  Tins,  Washing 212 

Milk  Weed  Pods  for  Cushions 195 

Minerals  as  Aids  to  Digestion 52 

Mink  Fur,  Cleaning 179 

Mirrors,  To  Polish 205 

Mixture  to  Eradicate  Grease  Spots 169 

Modified  Milk 46 

Moles,  Removing  Methods 10 

Molting,  Drink  for  Canaries  when 264 

Morphia  and  Opium,  Poisoning  by 131 

Mosquito  Netting,  Excellent  Dishcloths 213 

Moth  Patches,  To  Remove 10 

Moths,  Benzine  Spray  for 159 

Moths,  Bichlonde  of  Mercury  to  Protect  from 159 

Moths,  Cedar  Chests  as  Repellants  of 159 

Moths,  Cedar  Chips  a  Repellant  of 159 

Moths,  Cloth  Bags  as  a  Repellant  of 159 

Moths,  Formaldehyde  a  Repellant  of , 159 

XXVII 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Moths,  Pepper  as  a  Repellant 159 

Moths,  Preventing  Damage  by , 158 

Moths,  Repellants,  When  Valueless 159 

Moths  Repelled  by  Tar  Paper 159 

Moths,  Tobacco  a  Repellant 159 

Mouth  Wash,  Antiseptic 12 

Mouth  Wash  after  Eating 11 

Moving  Heavy  Trunks 245 

Mucilage,  Convenient 248 

Mud,  To  Remove  from  Black  Dresses 166 

Muscle  Exercise  as  Cure  for  Headache 70 

Muscular  Rheumatism,  Homeopathic  Treatment 119 

Musical  Instruments,  To  Protect  from  Dampness 151 

Muslin  and  Scrim,  Washing 230 

Muslin  Curtains,  Placing  on  a  Rod 189 

Mustard  for  Corns 7 

Mustard  Oil  for  Rheumatism 119 

Mustard  Plaster  for  a  Child 77 

Mustard  Plaster,  Using  a  Sponge  for  a 77 

Mustard  Poultices,  To  Make 59-60 

Mustard,  Quantity  for  Vomiting 94 

Mustard  Sponge 77 

Nails,  Bad  Habit  to  Bite  the 32 

In  ails.  Beautiful 32 

Nails,  Biting  the 32 

Nails,  Cleaning  the 32 

Nails,  Ingrown 32 

Nails,  Paring  the 32 

Nails,  Strengthening  Brittle 32 

Nails,  To  Drive  Easily 226 

Napkins,  Ironing 241 

Napkins,  Preparing  for  Ironing 238 

Napkins,  Quickly  Laundered 234 

Napkins,  When  Traveling  with  a  Baby 41 

Nap  of  Cloth,  Restoring 167 

Naphthaline  Balls  or  Powder  for  Moths 159 

Nasal  Hemorrhage Ill 

Natural  Woodwork,  Cleaning  of 182 

"  Nerve  "  Pillows 92 

Nerves,  Hot  Milk  for  the 45 

Nervous  Dyspepsia 85 

Nervous  Dyspepsia,  Horseback  Riding  for 85 

Nervous  Irritability 89 

Nervousness 89 

Nervousness,  Diet  for 90 

Nervousness,  Fresh  Air  Cure  for 89 

Net  for  Catching  Canaries 265 

Nettle-rash  and  Insect  Bites 123 

Neuralgia  and  Intemperance 71 

Neuralgia  and  Toothache,  Cure  of 63 

Neuralgia,  Bisulphide  of  Carbon  in 72 

Neuralgia,  Causes  of 72 

Neuralgia,  Common  to  Women 71 

Neuralgia,  Difficulty  of  Curing 71 

Neuralgia,  Ointment  for 72 

Neurasthenia 90 

Newspapers  as  Lining  of  Apple  Barrels 262 

Newspapers  as  Stove  Cleaner 223 

Newspapers,  Cleaning  Windows  with 205 

Newspapers,  Damp,  for  Sweeping  Carpets 154 

Newspapers,  Use  of,  in  the  Kitchen 204 

New  Woodwork,  Paint  Required  for , , , 243 

XXVIII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Nickel  on  Stoves.  To  Polish 223 

Night  Light.  An  Ever-ready    60 

Nightmare.  Remedy  for 92 

Nitrate  of  Silver.  Removing  Stains  of 17 

Nitric  Acid.  Poisoning  by 129 

Nose,  Bleeding  from  the 40 

Nosebleed  (See  Nasal  Hemorrhage) 

Nose  Secretion  as  Cure  of  Headache 70 

Noses,  LarK'e  Fleshy,  To  Reduce 26 

Noses.  Leaning  to  One  Side 26 

Noses,  Red.  Treatment  of 26 

Noses.  Shiny 26 

Nourishment,  Value  of  Sugar  as 43 

Nursing  Bottles.  Dr^nger  ot  Glass  Tubes  in 42.  45 

Nursery  Utensils.  Cleaning 42 

Nutmegs,  Medicinal  Qualities  of 95 

Nux  Vomica  and  Strychnine,  Poisoning  by 131 

Oatmeal  for  the  Toilet 3 

Obscuring  Glass 205 

Obstetric  Practice,  Home  Accessories  in 48 

Obstinate  Constipation,  Remedy  for 79 

Obstructions  in  the  Pipes  of  Bathrooms 200 

Oculist's  Ad\'ice  about  the  Eyes 35 

Odors  In  a  Cask,  To  Remove 262 

Offensive  Breath 13 

Oil  and  Water  for  Catching  Fleas 261 

OQcloth  and  Linoleum 218-219 

Oilcloths,  Brightening 218 

Oilcloths,  Soap  Injurious  to 218 

Oil  of  Cloves  and  Bitter  Medicine 63 

Oil  Paintings  in  Dark  Places 151 

Oil  Paintings,  Lukewarm  Suds  for  Cleaning 151 

Oil  of  Peppermint  for  Bums .  .  .  , 72 

Oil  of  Sas^ras  for  Chilblains 10 

Oil  Stains  from  Paper,  Removing 164 

OUjStains,  Removing  from  Paper 170 

OirStains  on  Carpets,  To  Remove 165 

Oily  Hair,  Shampoo  for 19 

Oily  Skin,  Treatment  of 28 

Ointment,  Clover  Blossom,  for  Bums 73 

Ointment  for  Hemorrhoids 83 

Ointment,  Netiralgic 72 

Ointment,  Parasiticide 123 

Ointment,  Spermaceti 77 

Ointment  to  Softrti  Hands 30 

Old  Fashioned  Polish 245 

Old  Furniture.  New  Appearance,  To  Cause 181 

Old  Furniture,  Renovating 181 

Old  Hot-water  Bags,  Uses  for 207 

Old  Paintings,  Oil  of  Cedar  for  Backs  of 151 

Old  Rubbers,  Use  for 177 

Ohve  Oil  to  Prevent  Lockjaw 8 

Onions  for  Cold  on  the  Chest 107 

Open  Air  Treatment  of  Pneumonia 116 

Open  Cracks  in  Floors,  Filling  for 194 

Opening  any  Bottle 209 

Opening  in  the  Wall,  Advantages  of,  in  the  Kitchen 203 

Orange  Peel  Tea  for  Diarrhea .  ., 95 

Ostrich  Feathers.  To  Clean  White 176 

Oven.  Keeping  Stove — Clean 223 

Overcoat  Collar.  Removing  Stains  from 178 

Overdressed  Children 47 

XXIX 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Overeating  and  Stoutness  of  Women 66 

Over-heated  Houses  and  Nervousness 90 

Over-ripe  Fruits,  Disadvantage  in  Refrigerator 220 

Oxalic  Acid  Removes  Old  Frtiit  Stains 1 65 

Oxalic  Acid,  Poisoning  by 129 

Ox -gall  for  Cleaning  Carpets 155 

Oxidized  Silver,  Cleaning 191 

Pails,  Wooden,  To  Prevent  Shrinking  of 233 

Painful  Dentition 15 

Pain  of  Toothache,  To  Alleviate 14 

Paint,  Amount  Required 246 

Paint  and  Painting,  Hints  on 97 

Paint  Smell,  To  Get  Rid  of 246 

Paint,  Removing  from  Silk  Goods 172 

Paint,  Washing  with  Whiting  and  Water 202 

Paint  Brush  Handy  for  Dusting 161 

Paint  Brushes,  Cleaning 246 

Painted  Cages  Injurious  to  Birds 263 

Painted  Floor,  Advantage  of 246 

Painting  Kitchen  Shelves 203 

Paint  Spots  on  Clothing,  To  Remove 170 

Palatable  Castor  Oil 64 

Palpitation  of  the  Heart 58 

Paper  Bags  as  Moth  Repellant 159 

Paper  Bags  Protecting  Hands  when  Blacking  Stoves 222 

Paperhanger's  Paste 247 

Paper  Hanging 247-248 

Papering  a  Kitchen 205 

Papering  Whitewashed  Walls 248 

Paper  Pad,  Convenience  of  in  the  Kitchen 208 

Paraffine  Oil,  Cleaning  Greasy  Sink  with 208 

Parasiticide  Ointment 123 

Parents  Who  Tease  Children 40 

Paring  the  Nails 32 

Parlor  Floor,  Staining 244 

Paste,  Flour 248 

Paste,  Paperhanger's 247 

Paste,  Preserving 248 

Paste  Preserving  Patent  Leather  Gloss 187 

Paste,  Soft  Flour 248 

Pasteurizing  Milk 43 

Patching  Wall  Paper 247 

Patent  Leather,  Freshening 187 

Patent  Leather,  Paste  to  Preserve  Gloss  of 187 

Patent  Leather,  Preserving  Paste  for 187 

Patent  Leather,  To  Prevent  Cracking  of 187 

Patent  Leather  Shoes,  Treatment  of 188 

Patient,  Changing  Sheets  under 199 

Patient's  Bed-clothes,  Changing 69 

Patient's  Gown,  Changing  a 59 

Pearl  White  Liquid 23 

Pepper  as  Moth  Repellant 159 

Pepsine  and  Its  Uses 86 

Perfume  the  Breath,  Wash  to 12 

Perfumed  Powder  for  Boxes 4 

Peroxide  of  Hydrogen  for  Bleaching 164 

Permanganate  of  Potash,  Bleaching  Sponges  with 163 

Perspiring  Feet 9 

Perspiring  Hands  and  Borax 33 

Perspiring  Hands,  Lotion  for 32 

Petit's  Eye  Salve 35 

Petroleum  Jelly  for  the  Hands 30 

XXX 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Petroleum,  Necessary  Qualities  in 217 

Petroleum  Products,  Poisoning  by 131 

Petticoat.  Silk,  To  Strengthen 177 

Phenacetin,  Danger  of  Using,  for  Headaches 70 

Phosphate  of  Soda  for  Sallow  Skin • 23 

Physician  to  be  Consulted  for  Foot  Trouble 40 

Physiological  Functions,  Telling  Children  of 50 

Piano  or  Organ,  Care  of 150 

Pianos,  Even  Temperature  Necessary  for 151 

Pinching  Shoes,  Easing 188 

Picric  Acid  in  Acute  Eczema 28 

Picture  Frames,  To  Remove  Fly  Specks  from 152 

Pictures  Hanging  against  Damp  Walls 152 

Piles,  Suppositories  for 83 

Piles,  White  Lead  as  a  Remedy  for 83 

Pillow  Slips,  Sizes  of 196 

Pillows,  Chicken  Feather,  To  Make 198 

Pillows,  Making  Down 197 

Pillows,  To  Protect 198 

Pillows,  Transferring  Feathers  to 197 

Pimples,  Cold  Baths  and 2 

Pimples  or  Blotches,  Removal  of 25 

Pipe,  Stove,  Keeping  Clean 223 

Plaster,  FiUing  Cracks  in 248 

Plaster  for  Rhematism 77 

Plaster  for  Sprains 77 

Plaster,  Mustard,  for  a  Child 77 

Plaster,  To  Set  Quickly 248 

Plastered  Walls,  To  Insert  Screwsln 248 

Plumes,  Cleaning  White 176 

Pneumonia  and  Convalescents 113 

Pneumonia,  Careful  Nursing  in 117 

Pneumonia  Contagiousness  of 115 

Pneumonia,  Crisis  in 116 

Pneumonia,  Danger  of 113 

Pneumonia,  Drunkard  Predisposed  to 115 

Pneumonia,  Open  Air  Treatment  of 116 

Pneumonia,  Treatment  of 115-116 

Pneumonia,  Two  Forms  of 1 14 

Pneumonia,  Ways  of  Contracting 113-114 

Pneumonia,  Women  Predisposed  to 127 

Poisons,  Antidotes  to 115 

Poisons,  Danger  of  Leaving  Around 127 

Poison  Ivy  Poisoning 124-125 

Poisoning  by  Acetanilid  or  Antif  ebrin 128 

Poisoning  by  Acetic  Add   129 

Poisoning  by  Aconite 130 

Poisoning  by  Alcohol 130 

Poisoning  by  Ammonia 130 

Poisoning  by  Antipyrin 130 

Poisoning  by  Arsenic 130 

Poisoning  by  Atropine  or  Belladonna. 130 

Poisoning  by  Cantharides 130 

Poisoning  by  Carbolic  Acid 129 

Poisoning  by  Caustic  Potash  or  Soda 131 

Poisoning  by  Chloral  Hydrate   131 

Poisoning  by  Corrosive  Sublimate 131 

Poisoning  by  Creosote 131 

Poisoning  by  Hydrochloric  Acid 129 

Poisoning  by  Hydrocyanic  Acid 129 

Poisoning  by  Morphia  and  Opium 131 

Poisoning  by  Nitric  Acid 129 

Poisoning  by  Nux  Vomica  and  Strychnine 131 

XXXI 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Poisoning  by  Oxalic  Acid 129 

Poisoning  by  Petroleum  Products '. 131 

Poisoning,  Stomach  Pump  for 1 28 

Poisoning  by  Sugar  of  Lead 131 

Poisoning  by  Sulphuric  Acid 129 

Poisoning  by  Tobacco 131 

Poisoning  by  Vermin  Killers 131 

Poisoning  by  Weed-killer 132 

PoUsh  Black  Marble,  To 190 

Polish,  Coal  Soot 223 

Polish,  Furniture,  Simple lo9 

Polish,  Handy  Furniture 190 

Polish,  High  Lustre  Stove 223 

Polish  Ivory,  To 190 

PoUsh,  Old-fashioned 215 

Polish,  Shoe,  Home-made l57 

Polish,  Stove 222-225 

Polish.  Tortoise  Shell,  To 190 

Polished  Boards  and  Carpets 2 14 

Polishes  for  Black  Wahiut 1S9 

Polishing  and  Cleaning  Furniture lol 

Polishing  Floors 2-15 

Polishing,  Its  Difficulty 240 

Polishing  Mirrors 205 

Polishing  Nickel  on  Stoves 223 

Polishing  Slate  Floors 158 

Pomade  for  Eyebrows 21 

Potato  Poultice  for  Rheumatism 119 

Potatoes  for  Inflamed  Eyes 33 

Pots  and  Pans,  Care  of 211 

Pot  Closet,  Insects  in  the 206 

Poultice  for  Boils  and  Carbuncles 120 

Powdered  Chalk  to  Strengthen  Glue 195 

Powdered  Starch  to  Remove  Stain  from  Linen 165 

Powders  and  Pills,  Preparing  for  a  Child 63 

Powder,  Perfumed,  for  Boxes 4 

Poultices,  To  Make 59-60 

Pregnancy,  Vomiting  of 93 

Preparing  a  Sick-room  Bed .  .  . 59 

Preparing  Pov^ders  and  Pills  for  a  Child 63 

Preserves,  Uncovered,  in  Closet 206 

Preserving  Paste 248 

Pressed  Glassware,  To  Shine 209 

Pressing  Woolen  Goods 177 

Preventing  Clinkers  on  Stove  Linings 226 

Preventing  Dandruff 19 

Preventing  Drafts 198 

Preventing  Flapping  of  Window  Shades 189 

Preventing  Kid  Shoes  Cracking 187 

Prevention  and  Treatment  of  Bed  Sores 59 

Prickly  Heat,  Cure  for 123 

Prickly  Heat,  Rye  Flour  for 22 

Printed  Goods  with  Black  Grounds,  Washing 233 

Prohibited  Foods  for  Canaries 264 

Proper  Times  to  Take  Medicines 62 

Proper  Tooth  Brushes  for  Use 12 

Proper  Use  of  Stoves 222-225 

Protecting  a  Mattress 196 

Provence  Roses  and  Jasmine  Waters 5 

Pulmonary  Consumption,  Yearly  Death  Rate  from 108 

Purgatives,  Danger  of 81 

Putty  for  Defective  Fruit  Jar  Covers 207 

Putty,  Softening  Hard 205 

XXXII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Quick  Eating  and  Dyspepsia 83 

Quick  Filter.  A 204 

Suicklime  and  Gypsum  as  Absorbents 258 

uicklime  for  Mildew  in  Closets 206 

Ouilts,  Laundering 237 

Quinine  and  Influenza 106 

Quinsy,  Remedy  for 105 

Rag  Carpet,  To  Bind 156 

Rain  Water,  Necessity  for  Filtering 201 

Red  Ink  Stains,  Removing 171 

Reducing  Flesh,  Formula  for 67 

Refreshing  Odor  for  the  Bath 4 

Refrigerator,  Care  of 219-220 

Refrigerator,  Charcoal  as  Odor  Absorbent  in 221 

Refrigerator,  Choosing  a 222 

Refrigerator,  Covering  Milk  and  Butter  in 220 

Refrigerator,  Food  and  Ice  in  the 219 

Refrigerator,  111  Effects  of  Fish,  etc.,  in  the 221 

Refrigerator,  Kerosene  for  White  Spots  in 221 

Refrigerator,  Placing  Ice  Properly  in  a 220 

Refrigerator,  Renovating  an  Old 221 

Refrigerator,  Sewer  Gas  in  a 220 

Refrigerator,  Ventilation  of 220 

Refuse,  Drying,  before  Burning  in  Stove 202 

Regimen,  etc.,  for  Whooping-cough 110 

Registers  of  Furnace,  Mistakes  Made  when  Shaking  Fires 161 

Relief  of  Acute  Attacks  of  Gout 118 

Relief  of  Biliousness 93 

Relief  of  Neuralgia  and  Toothache  Pain 53 

Relief  of  Violent  Vomiting 93 

ReUef  of  Vomiting  of  Pregnancy 93 

Relieving  Itching  of  Hives 123 

Relieving  Toothache 14 

Remedies  for  Earache 37 

Remedies  for  Poisoning  (See  under  Poisoning) 

Remedy  for  a  Bruise 132 

Remedy  for  a  Cough 107-108 

Remedy  for  Acute  Inflammation  of  the  Bladder 82 

Remedy  for  Asthma 112 

Remedy  for  Bronchial  Asthma 112 

Remedy  for  Choking 66 

Remedy  for  Colic 81-S2 

Remedy  for  Croup 109 

Remedy  for  Fistula 83 

Remedy  for  Flatulent  Dyspepsia 84 

Remedy  for  Leaky  Wash-tubs 235 

Remedy  for  Leanness 67 

Remedy  for  Moist  Hands 32 

Remedy  for  Kettle-rash  and  Insect  Bites 123 

Remedy  for  Nightmare 92 

Remedy  for  Obstinate  Constipation 79 

Remedy  for  Excessive  Perspiration 9 

Remedy  for  Quinsy 105 

Remedy  for  Ringworm 122 

Remedy  for  Scabies 123 

Remedy  for  Sore  Throat 104 

Remedy  for  Tapeworm 83 

Remedy  for  Toothache 14 

Remedy  for  Torpid  Liver 79 

Remedy  for  Whooping-cough 110 

Remedy  for  Winter  Itch 123 

Remedy,  Instantaneous,  for  Lumbago 120 

XXXIII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Removing  Bitter  Taste  of  Medicine 61-62 

RemoNnng  Button  in  the  Nostiil 39 

Removing  Candle  Grease  from  Furniture 181 

Removing  Clinkers  from  Stove  Linings 225 

Remo\Tng  Cracks  in  Earthenware 206 

Removing  Damp  Smell  from  Cellars 262 

Removing  Dents  in  Wood 181 

Removing  Finger  Marks  on  Furniture 181 

Removing  Finger  Marks  on  Polished  Furniture 182 

Removing  Freckles 27-28 

Removing  Grease  from  Painted  Woodwork 203 

Removing  Gunpowder  Stains ^ 23 

Removing  Ink  Stains  from  Mahogany .' 182 

Removing  Iodine  Stains  from  Woodwork 182 

Removing  Iron  from  "  Rusty  "  Water 52 

Removing  Kerosene  Cdor  from  Tinware 211 

Removing  Leather  Stains  on  Stockings 232 

Removing  Marks  on  Varnished  Wood 181 

Removing  Moles 10 

Removing  Mortar  and  Paint  from  Windows 246 

Remo^^ng  M  oth  Patches 10 

Removing  Odors  in  a  Cask 262 

Removing  Old  Wall  Paper 247 

Removing  Pimples  or  Blotches 25 

Removing  Rust  with  Lemon  Juice 201 

Removing  Scorch  from  Garments 242 

Removing  Something  from  the  Eye 35-36 

Removing  Stains  from  Cloths 166 

Removing  Stains  from  a  Straw  Hat 178 

Removing  Stains  from  Baking  Dishes 211 

Removing  Unpleasant  Smell  from  Feather  Pillows 196 

Remaving  Varnish 181 

Removing  Warts 11 

Removing  White  Spots  on  Furniture 180 

Removing  White  Spots  on  Varnished  Furniture 215 

Removing  Whitewash  Spots 255 

Renewing  Eiderdown  Comforters 197 

Renovating  an  Old  Refrigerator 221 

Repairing  a  Torn  Stencil 252 

Repairing  Damaged  Caster  Supports 183 

Repairing  Furs 179 

Repellants  against  Moths 159 

Requirements  of  Good  Lamp  Wicks 217 

Resin,  To  Remove  from  Cloth 169 

Resorcine  for  Relief  of  Seasickness 94 

Restorative  for  Dry  and  Brittle  Hair 18 

Restoring  Color  of  Kid  Shoes 188 

Restoring  Color  to  Black  Stuff 106 

Restoring  Faded  Gray  Fabrics 1(33 

Restoring  Faded  Ribbons 173 

Restoring  Nap  of  Cloth 107 

Restoring  Rusty  Black  Kids I)i5 

Rheumatism,  Acute  Articular 119 

Rheumatism,  Acute,  Treatment  of 120 

Rheumatism,  Camphor-Phenol  Treatment  of 120 

Rheumatism,  Celery  as  a  Cure  for 119 

Rheumatism,  Cure  for 119 

Rheumatism,  Foods  to  be  Avoided  In 119 

Rheumatism,  Green  Coffee  Cure  for 119 

Rheumatism,  Muscular,  Homeopathic  Treatment  of 119 

Rheumatism,  Mustard-oil  for 119 

Rheumatism,  Plaster  for 77 

Rlitumatism,  Potato  Poultice  for 119 

XXXIV 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Rheumatism,  Treatment  of 118-119 

Ribbons.  Faded,  To  Restore 173 

Ringworm,  A  Simple  Remedy  for 122 

Ringworm,  Cure  for 122 

Rinsing  Bottles 209 

Rinsing  the  Mouth 12 

Rinsing  White  Clothes 229 

Rinsing  Woolen  Lace 175 

Rivets  for  Mending  Graniteware 194 

Roaches  in  the  Bathroom 200 

Roaches  Killed  by  Hydro-Cyanic  Gas 257 

Rockers,  "Tipping  Over, "  Prevention  of 1S2 

Rocking  Chair  in  the  Kitchen 201 

Rolling-pin.  Bag  for 201 

Roof  Cement 193 

Rosemary  for  the  Hair 17 

Rose  Potpourri 5 

Rose  Jar,  Collecting  for  a. 23 

Rosewood  Furniture,  Improving  Appearance  of ISl 

Rouge  (French) 24 

Rough  Hands.  To  Soften 30 

Rough  Sad  Irons,  Smoothing 242 

Rubber  Cement 176 

Rubbers,  To  Mend 176 

Rub-board,  Care  of 235 

Rugs,  Cleaning  and  Keeping  Shape  of 157 

Rugs.  Drying  Scrubbed  or  Washed 157 

Rugs.  Handling  Large 157 

Rugs,  How  to  Shake 166 

Rugs  in  the  Kitchen 201 

Rugs,  Webbing  to  Prevent  Edges  Curling  of 156 

Rule  for  Dosage  of  Children 63 

Running  Ears,  Adenoids  and 37 

Rust,  Bright  Grates,  Preserving  from 225 

Rust,  Removing  from  Linen 170 

Rust,  Removing  with  Lemon  Juice 201 

Rusting,  Preventing  Metals 225 

Rusting,  Sheet-Iron  Stoves 225 

Rusting,  To  Keep  Window  Screens  from 202 

Rusting,  To  Prevent  Steel  from 166 

Rusty  Black  Kid  Gloves,  To  Restore 185 

Rusty  Black  Lace,  Freshening 175 

Rusty  Brown  Clothing,  Cause  of 166 

"Rusty"  Water,  To  Purify 52 

Rye  Flour  for  Prickly  Heat 23 

Sable  Fur,  Cleaning 179 

Sachet  Powder,  Violet 4 

Safe  Drinking  Water 50-52 

Safety  Code  for  the  Home 74 

Sage  Tea  for  the  Hair 17 

Salicylic  Acid  for  Perspiring  Feet 9 

Salol  as  Cure  for  Sciatica 121 

Sallow  Skin,  Clearing 23 

Salt,  Adding  to  Gasoline  to  Prevent  Stains 167 

Salt  and  Lemon  Juice  for  Mildew 166 

Salt  and  Vinegar  for  Brightening  Copper  and  Brass 211 

Salt  or  Vinegar  to  Fix  Dyes 232 

Salt,  Uses  of  in  the  House 134-136 

Salts.  Smelling 22 

Salt  Water  for  Brooms 159 

Salve,  Citron  Ointment,  for  the  Lips 25 

Salve  for  the  Hands 33 

XXXV 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Salve,  Lip 25 

Salve,  Petit's  Eye 35 

Sand,  Advantage  in  Bird  Cages  of 263 

Sandy's  Local  Application 120 

Sash  Curtains,  Use  in  Kitchen 205 

Saving  Pieces  of  Tablecloth  when  Cutting 243 

Saving  Underwear 177 

Sawdust  to  Keep  Down  Dust  when  Sweeping laQ 

Scabies,  Remedy  for 123 

Scalded  or  Boiled  Milk 47 

Scalds  or  Burns,  Treatment  of 132 

Scales  in  the  Kitchen 205 

Scalp,  Massaging 16 

Schedule  for  Infant  Feeding 42 

Sciatica,  Novel  Treatment  of 121 

Scorch,  Removing  from  Garments 242 

Scorching  when  Ironing,  Removing 241 

Scratch,  Dangers  of  a 39 

Scratches  on  Furniture,  Linseed  Oil  for ISl 

Screw-eyes  in  the  Kitchen,  Uses  for 208 

Screws,  To  Insert  in  Plastered  Walls 24S 

Screw  Tops  of  Jars,  to  Work  Easily 206 

Scrubbing  Linoleum  and  Oilcloth 21S 

Sealing  Wax  for  Fruit  Cans 193 

Sealing  Wax,  to  M  ake  Black 190 

Seasickness  and  Vomiting 93 

Seasickness,  Resorcine  for 94 

Seasickness,  Worcester  Sauce  for 94 

Sediment-cocks  in  Kitchen  Boilers,  Care  of 207 

Seidlitz  Powders,  To  Make 88 

Seven  Ages  of  Milk 44 

Severe  Colds,  Treatment  of 109 

Sewer  Gas  in  Refrigerator 220 

Sewer  Gas,  To  Detect 228 

Shade,  Fastening  to  Roller 189 

Shampoo,  Simple 18 

Sheet-iron  Stoves,  Rusting  of.  Causes  and  Cure 225 

Sheets,  Changing  under  Patient 199 

Sheets,  Doubling  the  W^ear  of 197 

Shine,  Pressed  Glassware,  To 209 

Shingles  (Herpes  Zoster),  Treatment  of 123 

Shiny  Noses,  Recipe  for 26 

Shiny  Silk  or  Satin,  Cleaning » 173 

Shoe  Buttons,  To  Fasten 188 

Shoe  E>ressing,  Glycerine  as 186 

Shoe  Polish,  Banana  as  a 187 

Shoe  Polish,  Home-made 187 

Shoe  Preservative,  Milk  as  a 187 

Shoes  and  Slippers,  Care  of 186 

Shoes,  Child's,  To  Prevent  Falls 187 

Shoes,  Waterproofing 188 

Shrinkage,  Wooden  Pails,  To  Prevent 233 

Shrinking  Flannel 238 

Sick  Child,  Giving  Milk  to  a 43 

Sick-room  "Don'ts" 56-58 

Sifting  Ashes  and  Use  of  Cinders 223 

Sifting  Dustless  Cinder 224 

Silk,  Finishing 243 

Silk  Hat,  Brushing  a  Wet 178 

Silk.  To  Remove  Paint  from 172 

Silk  Petticoat,  Strengthening  a 177 

Silk,  Remowing  Tar  from 172 

SUk,  Sponging  Wrinkled 173 

XXXVI 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Silks  and  Velvets,  Cleaning  and  Improving 172 

Silver,  Liquid  for  Cleaning 191 

Silver,  To  Keep  Bright 191 

Silver  and  Silver  Plated  Articles 192 

Silverware,  Discolored 191 

Silverware,  Washing  with  Borax 191 

Sinks  and  Waste  Pipes,  Care  of 228 

Sinks,  Chloride  of  Lime  around 227 

Sinks,  Hand  as  a  Suction  Pump  in 228 

Sinks,  Soda  Lye  for 228 

Sitting  and  Walking  of  Young  Children 40 

Skillets,  Clea'ning 213 

Skin,  Tonic  Lotion  for  the 29 

Skins,  To  Preserve  for  Rugs  or  Mats 150 

Skirt,  Home-made  Hanger  for 168 

Skirt,  Wrinkled,  To  Freshen 167 

Skirts,  Mending  Frayed 177 

Slate  Floors,  Polishing 158 

Sleep  as  Cure  of  Headache 71 

Sleep  in  Hot  Weather §1 

Sleep,  Harmless  ways  to  Induce 91 

Sleeping  Hours  for  Children 40 

Sleeplessnes  and  the  Hot  Bath 54 

Smelling  Salts 22 

Smoke,  Avoiding  when  Lighting  Stove  Fire 225 

Smoke  and  Dirt,  Cleaning  from  Walls 207 

Smoke,  Suffocation  from.  To  Prevent 75 

Smoked  Ceilings,  Cleaning 247 

Smoothing  Irons  without  Wax 242 

Smoothing  Rough  Irons 242 

Snow  as  a  Rug  Cleanser 157 

Snow  for  Bleaching  Cloth 163 

Snow  lor  Dustlesa  Sweeping 159 

Soaking  Clothes 228 

Soap  and  Flannels 237 

Soap,  Cutting  Up  when  Fresh 226 

Soap  for  Grease  Spots 169 

Soap,  Hard,  To  Make 227 

Soap,  Injury  to  Oilcloth  by 218 

Soap  Liniment 122 

Soap,  Soft 226 

Soap,  Use  and  Abuse  of 226 

Soap,  Waste  of  in  Dishpan 227 

Soapbark  as  a  Cleaner 168 

Soap-shaker,  Home-made 227 

Soda  Lye,  Use  for  Sinks 228 

Soda  Mint 82 

Soda,  Washing  Windows  with 205 

Sofa  Pillows,  Cotton  Batting 196 

Soft  Corns 7 

Soft  Flour  Paste 248 

Soft  Soap,  To  Make 228 

Soften  Leather,  To 186 

Softening  Hard  Putty 205 

Softening  Water  for  the  Laundry , 236 

Something  in  the  Eye 35—36 

Sore  Mouth,  Vegetable  Foods  for 25 

Sore  Throat,  Remedy  for  a 104 

Sore  Throat,  Steam  as  a  Gargle  for 104 

Sore  Throat,  Treatment  of 103 

Sour  Cask,  To  Sweeten  a 262 

Specific  for  Hiccough 69 

Speedy  Cure  for  Whooping-cough 110 

XXXVH 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Spennaceti  Ointment .  .  •  4  • 77 

Spice-MiU.  Cleaning  of 202 

Sponge,  Bag  for 200 

Sponge,  Used  for  Mustard  Plaster 77 

Sponges  as  Germ  Collectors 201 

Sponges,  Bleaching  almost  Snow-white 163 

Sponges,  Cleaning  Discolored 201 

Sponges,  to  Bleach 163 

Sponging  Black  Silk 173 

Sponging  when  Washing  Articles 168 

Spongy  Rubber  for  Cleaning  Gloves 185 

Spotted  Clothing  Cleaned 166 

Sprain  or  Strain,  Treatment  of  a 75-76 

Sprains,  Friction  as  a  Remedy  for 76 

Sprains,  Plaster  for 77 

Sprains  or  Bruises,  Hot  Water  for 53 

Sprinkling  Clothes,  Easy  Way  of 239 

Sprinkling  Clothes,  Use  of  Com  Broom  for 90 

Squeaking  Boots,  To  Stop 187 

Squirrel  and  Monkey  Fur,  Cleaning 179 

Stain,  Cherry,  Imitating  Old  Mahogany 243 

Stain,  Chinese  Eyelash 20 

Stain,  Dark  Mahogany 244 

Stain.  Ebony 244 

Stain,  Perfect  Mahogany 243 

Stained  Floors,  Improving 244 

Stained  Mahogany  Wood,  To  Clean 182 

Stained  White  Straw  Hat 178 

Staining  Black  Walnut  to  Resemble  Ebony 244 

Staining  Floors 243-244 

Staining  Halls 245 

Staining  Parlor  Floors 244 

Stains,  Grease  Removed  from  Books 153 

Stains,  Gunpowder,  Removing 23 

Stains,  Ink  on  Mahogany,  To  Remove 182 

Stains,  Iodine,  Removed  fcom  Hands 167 

Stains,  Iodine,  Removing  from  Wood 182 

Stains,  Lampblack,  To  Remove  from  Cloth 166 

Stains,  Leather  on  Stockings,  To  Remove 232 

Stains  on  Flannels 167 

Stains  Removed  from  Overcoat  Collar 178 

Stains,  Removing  from  Baking  Dishes 211 

Stains,  Removing  from  Cloths 166 

Stains,  Removing  from  Colored  Materials 169 

Stains,  Removing  Iodine  from  Linen^ 167 

Stains,  Removing  Resin,  Tar,  Axle  Grease 169 

Stains,  Removing  Tea  or  Coffee 164 

Stains,  Removing  with  Tomatoes 33 

Stains,  Thinning,  Importance  of 243 

Stale  Bread  for  Cleaning  Kid  Gloves 185 

Stair  Carpets,  Whisk  Broom  to  Brush 161 

Starch,  Boiled  and  Soapsuds  to  Prevent  Sticking 239 

Starch,  Cold  Water 240 

Starch,  Creamy  or  Yellow  Tinted 240 

Starch,  Straining 239 

Starched  Things  and  Ironing 240 

Starching  and  Glazing 239 

Starching  Dark  Wash  Goods 239 

Starching  Lace 175 

Starchy  Foods  and  Child's  Digestion 48 

Steel,  To  Keep  from  Tarnishing 166 

Stencil  Colors,  How  Applied 254 

Stencil,  Drawing  the  Design  of  a 262 

XXXVIII 


INDEX 

PAGB 

Stencil.  Repairing  a  Torn 252 

Stencilling 249-253 

Stencilling,  Brush  for 254 

Stencilling,  Lead  Foil  used  in 251 

Stencilling,  Materials  for 261 

Stencilling,  Ties  in 249 

Stencilling,  Use  of  Sponge  in 254 

Stenciling,  Use  of  the  Stile  in 255 

Stencils,  Cutting 251 

Stencils,  Knives  for 252 

Stencils  on  Cartridge  Paper 261 

Stencils,  Varnishing  Paper 251 

Sterilizer,  Home-made  Milk 45 

Sticking  of  Lamp  Wicks 216 

Stiff enmg  a  Suit 234 

Stiffening  Linen 240 

Stile,  Use  of  in  Stencilling 255 

Stimulants  and  Lung  Bleeding 1 10 

Stings  of  Insects,  Treatment  of 125 

Stocking  Heels,  To  Save 166 

Stomach,  Sluggishness  of  the 87 

Stomach  Trouble,  Hot  Water  for 53 

Stomach,  Washing  out  the 93 

Stopping  a  Stye 33 

Stopping  Loss  of  Blood  from  Wounds 39 

Stoutness  and  Leanness 66 

Stove,  Avoiding  Smoke  when  Lighting  Fire  in 225 

Stove,  Burlap  Cleaner  of 224 

Stove,  Cement  for  Cracked  Lids 223 

Stove,  Coal  Soot  Polish  for 223 

Stove  Holders  from  Shirt  CuSs 224 

Stove,  Liquid  Blacking  for 222 

Stove,  Newspaper  as  Cleaner  of 223 

Stove  Pipe,  Keeping  Clean  the 223 

Stove  Polish 222-225 

Stove  Polish,  To  Give  High  Lustre 223 

Stove,  Reducing  Fire  with  Bricks  in 224 

Stove,  Use  of  Small  Broom  around  a 222 

Stoves,  Aluminum  Paint  for 224 

Stoves,  Ash  Free  Grates  of 222 

Stoves,  Blacking  Over-heated 223 

Stoves.  Care  of 222-225 

Stoves,  Cement  for 193 

Stoves,  Polishing  Nickel  on 223 

Stoves.  Proper  use  of 222-225 

Stoves,  Blackening  Rusted 223 

Stoves,  Sheet-iron,  Rusting  of 226 

Strain  of  the  Eye 34 

Straw.  To  Bleach 163 

Straw  Plait.  To  Bleach 164 

Strengthening  Silk  Petticoats 177 

Stretching  Lace  Curtains 174 

Stunned.  Treatment  of  the 132 

Stye,  Stopping  a 33 

Substitute  for  Lost  Lid  of  Tea-kettle 212 

Suffocation  from  Smoke.  To  Prevent 75 

Sugar  and  Cow's  Milk  as  Infant's  Food 43 

Sugar,  Its  Care  in  the  Cupboard. 207 

Sugar  Solution  for  Removing  Stains. ._ 165 

Sugar,  Value  as  Nourishment  to  a  Child 43 

Sulphur  Bath 3 

Sulphur,  Burning  as  a  Disinfectant 258 

Sulphur,  Disinfection  by  Means  of , 258 

XXXIX 


INDEX 

Sulphur  for  Canaries 2tj4 

Sulphuric  Acid,  Poisoning  byl 129 

Summer  Complaint  in  Children 96 

Sunburn,  Cucumber  Juice  for 23 

Sunburn,  Melon  Juice  for 23 

Sunburn,  Milk  as  a  Wash  for 22 

Sunlight  for  Bleaching  Cloth 163 

SunUght,  White  Woodwork  and 181 

Sunshine  and  Feather-beds 196 

Sunstroke,  Cold  Water  Applications  in 70 

Sunstroke.  Treatment  of 132 

Superfluous  Hair 20 

Suppositaries 83 

Swallowing  a  Pin,  Remedy  for 132 

Swallowing  Piece  of  Glass,  Remedy  for 130 

Swallowing  Medicines,  To  Help  a  Child  when 63 

Sweaters,  Washing 238 

Sweeping 159 

Sweeping,  Advantages  of  Gasoline  when 161 

Sweeping  Matting 158 

Sweet  Cream  for  the  Hands 31 

Sweet  Oil,  Removes  Foreign  Bodies  from  Eye 35 

Sweet  Oil,  Removes  Marks  from  Furniture 181 

Syrup  for  Colds  and  Cough 107 

Table  Desl^atlng  Amounts,  etc..  When  Fumigating 259 

Tablecloth,  Saving  Pieces  when  Cutting 243 

Tablecloths,  Ironing 240 

Table  Covering,  Fastening  when  too  long 243 

Table  Linen  Never  Sprinkled  for  Ironing 239 

Table  M  anners,  Hmts  on  Good 137 

Tacking  Comforts 197 

Talcum  Powder,  Cleaning  White  Kid  Gloves  with 185 

Talcum  Powder  for  Cleaning  Lace 175 

Tapeworm  Cure 83 

Tar,  Removing  from  Silk 172 

Tar,  Removing  from  Cloth 169 

Tar,  Removing  from  Hands 33 

Tar  Paper  as  Moth  Repellant 159 

Tea  as  a  Face  Wash 22 

Tea  for  the  Hair 17 

Teacups,  Washing,  To  Prevent  Breakage 213 

Tea-kettle,  Substitute  Lid  for 212 

Tea  Leaves  for  Sweeping  Carpets 154 

Tea  or  Coffee  Stains  of  Long  Standing,  To  Remove 165 

Tea  or  Coffee  Stains,  Removing  from  Linens 165 

Tea  or  Coffee  Stains,  To  Remove  from  Fabrics 164 

Tea-stained  Tablecloth,  Cleaning 229 

Tea  Stains,  Sugar  for  Removing 165 

Tea  Stains  to  be  Removed  at  once 164 

Tear  in  Rubbers,  M  ending 176 

Teeth,  Care  of  the 11-13 

Teeth,  Causes  of  Decay 12 

Teeth,  Disadvantage  of  Hard  Brushes  for  the 11 

Teething  and  Constipated  Children 48 

Teething,  Convulsions  of  Children 49 

Telephone  Mouthpiece,  Disinfecting 268 

Tempering  Old  Flatirons 242 

Tender  Feet,  Cause  of 8 

Tender  Feet  and  Feeble  Health 8 

Test  for  Damp  Beds 196 

Test  for  Gold 192 

Testing  Suspected  Water ,.,,,, 61 

XL 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Tests,  Simple  for  Water  Purity 204 

Thick  Liquids,  To  Facilitate  Flow  in  Cold  Weather 207 

Thin  and  Small  Eyebrows 20 

Thinning  Stains 243 

Tight  Shoes  Cause  of  Tender  Feet 8 

Tinware,  Cleaning  When  Hot 214 

"Tipping  Over"  of  Rockers,  How  to  Prevent 182 

Tired  Eyes 34 

To  Avoid  Cracking  Glassware  While  Washing 209 

Tobacco  a  Moth  Repellant 169 

Tobacco,  Poisoning  by 131 

To  Cleanse  Glass  or  Porcelain  Vessels 209 

Toilet  Bowl,  Disinfecting 201 

Toilet  Waters,  Cherry  Laurel 4 

Toilet  Waters,  Cologne  Water  (First  Quality) 5 

Toilet  Waters,  Cologne  Water  (Ordinary) 5 

Toilet  Waters,  Florida 4 

Toilet  Waters,  Home-made 4 

Toilet  Waters,  Lavender 4 

Toilet  Waters,  Provence  Roses  and  Jasmine 5 

Toilet  Waters,  Verbena 4 

Toilet  Waters,  Violet 4 

Tomatoes,  Green,  Removes  M  ildew 166 

Tomatoes,  Removing  Stains  from  Hands  with 33 

Tonic  Lotion  for  the  Skin 29 

Tongue  in  Health  and  Slight  Ailments 65 

Toothache  Caused  by  Acidity 14 

Toothache,  Curing 14 

Toothache,  Reheving 14 

Toothache,  Remedy  for 14 

Toothache  Wax 14 

Tooth  Brushee,  Their  Requirements 12 

Tooth  Cavities,  History  of 13 

Tooth  Cavities,  Nesting-places  for  Various  Diseases 13 

Tooth  Cleaner,  Castile  Soap 12 

Tooth-extraction,  Hemorrhage  after 13 

Tooth  Wash 11 

Torpid  Liver,  Remedy  for 79 

To  Set  Colors  when  Washing 231 

Tortoise  Shell  Cement 190 

Tortoise  Shell,  Keeping  Bright 164 

Tortoise  SheU,  To  PoUsh 190 

Transparent  Glycerine  Jelly 26 

Treating  Ingrowing  Nail 6 

Treatment  for  Warped,  Drafty  Floors 208 

Treatment  of  Asthma  and  Allied  Conditions 112 

Treatment  of  Boils 133 

Treatment  of  Bright 's  Disease 117 

Treatment  of  Bums  and  Scalds 72-74 

Treatment  of  Cramps  in  the  Leg 90 

Treatment  of  Diabetes 118 

Treatment  of  Diphtheria 101-102 

Treatment  of  Diphtheria  (Dr.  Blondel's) 102 

Treatment  of  Famting  Persons 68 

Treatment  of  Loss  of  Hair 17 

Treatment  of  Neuralgia 72 

Treatment  of  Oiled  Woodwork 190 

Treatment  of  Oily  Skin 28 

Treatment  of  Pneumonia 116 

Treatment  of  Poison  Ivy  Poisoning 124 

Treatment  of  Red  Noses 26 

Treatment  of  Sciatica - 121 

Treatment  of  Severe  Colds < 109 

XLI 


INDEX 

PAGB 

Treatment  of  Shingles 123 

Treatment  of  Sore  Throat »  .    . .   103 

Treatment  of  Sprain  or  Strain 75-76 

Treatment  of  Summer  Diarrhea 94 

Treatment  of  Summer  Diarrheas  in  Children 96 

Treatment  of  Sunstroke 132 

Treatment  of  the  Stunned 132 

Treatment,  Rational,  of  Gall-stones 65-56 

Trimmings,  White,  To  Wash  on  a  Dress 167 

Trousers,  Folding 178 

Trousers,  Hanging 178 

Trouble  from  Over-feeding  Infants 47 

Trunk,  Marking  a 245 

Trunks,  Moving  Heavy 245 

Try 145-146 

Tubes  of  Refrigerator,  Cleaning 219 

Turkish  Toweling,  Advantage  of  Buying  by  the  Yard 200 

Turpentine  Cure  for  Corns 7 

Turpentine,  Grease  Spots  in  Wool  Removed  with 173 

Turpentine,  Numerous  uses  of  in  the  House 210 

Typhoid  Fever,  Milk  as  a  Cause  of 46 

Underwear,  Mending  Large  Holes  In 177 

Unevenly  Worn  Brooms,  Trimming  and  Using 159 

Unsafe  Drinking  Water 51 

Use  and  Abuse  of  Soap 226 

Use  for  Old  Rubbers 177 

Use  of  Accumulated  Fat 227 

Useful  Remedies  for  Swallowing  Pin  or  Piece  of  Glass 132 

Uses  for  Asbestos  Mats 210 

Uses  for  Little  Scrubbing  Brushes  in  the  Kitchen 208 

Uses  for  Screw-eyes  in  the  Kitchen 208 

Uses  of  Meat  Grinder 203 

Uses  of  Turpentine  in  the  House 210 

Using  Left-over  Wall  Paper 247 

Vagina,  Inflamed  Condition  of 48 

Varnish  for  Bronze  Boots  and  Slippers 187 

Varnish  for  Paper  Stencils 251 

Varnish  Remover 32 

Varnished  Furniture,  Removing  Finger  Marks  on 181 

Varnished  Wood,  Removing  Marks  on 181 

Varnishing  Floors 243 

Varnishing  Linoleum,  Advantage  of 218 

Vaseline,  Removing  Face  Powder  With 23 

Vegetable  Foods  for  Sore  Mouth 25 

Veils,  To  Freshen 167 

Velvet,  Cleaning 173 

Velvets,  Cleaning  and  Improving 172 

Ventilation,  Easy  and  Effective  Mode  of 203 

Ventilation  In  the  Kitchen 201 

Ventilation  of  Refrigerator 220 

Verbena  Water 4 

Vermin-killers,  Poisoning  by 131 

Vinegar  Cruet,  To  Clean  a 209 

Vinegar,  Lamp-wicks  Soaked  in 216 

Violet  Sachet  Powder 4 

Violet  Water,  Home-made 4 

Vomiting  of  Pregnancy,  Relief  of 93 

Vomiting,  Quantity  of  Mustard  for 94 

Vomiting,  Violent,  Rehef  of 93 

Walking  and  Women 66 

Wall  Paper,  Cleaning 247 

XLII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Wall  Paper,  Cleaning  Delicate 247 

Wall  Paper.  Patching 247 

Wall  Paper,  Removing  Old 247 

Wall  Paper,  Using  Left-over 247 

Walnut  Hair  Dye 21 

Wardrobe.  Man's.  Care  of 178 

Warm  Bath  for  Tired  Feet 9 

Warming  Bottle 197 

Warmth  of  Bedclothes,  Increasing  the 195 

Warm  Water.  Advantage  of  Using  on  Brooms 161 

Warm  Water.  Removing  Something  in  the  Eye  with 3t> 

Warm  Water  When  Sweeping 161 

Warped.  Drafty  Floors,  Treatment  of 208 

Warts,  Removing 11 

Washboard,  Glass.  Advantages  of 232 

Wash  Dress.  Green  Color  Made  Fast  in 232 

Wash  for  the  Teeth 11 

Wash  Lines  to  Facilitate  Wash  Hanging 235 

Wash  to  Perfume  the  Breath 12 

Wash  Tub.  Leaky.  To  Mend 234 

Wash  Tubs.  Care  of 235 

Washing  Black  and  Fancy  Hosiery 232 

Washing  Black  or  Navy  Blue  Linens  and  Percales 233 

Washing  Blankets 237 

Washing  Chamois  Gloves 1S6 

Washing,  Cheap  Labor,  Fuel  and  Time  Saving 233 

Washing  Colored  Linens  and  Muslins  without  Fading 233 

Washing  Combs 16 

Washijig  Cut  Glass 209 

Washing  Dishes 211 

Washing  Egg  from  Dishes 212 

Washing  Embroideries 231 

Washing  Embroidery  in  Crewels  or  Silk 234 

Washing  Fluid 228 

Washing  Garments  by  Sponging 168 

Washing  Heavy  Bed-clothes 238 

Washing  Lace  Door  Panel 175 

Washing  Lamp  Chimneys 216 

Washing  Mattings 157 

Washing  Milk  Tins 212 

Washing  Muslin  and  Scrim 230 

Washing  out  the  Stomach 93 

Washing  Paint  with  Whiting 202 

Washing  Plain  White  Toilet  Cloths 230 

Washing  Printed  Goods  of  Black  Groimd 233 

Washing  Silverware  with  Borax 191 

Washing  Soiled  Dress  Shields 233 

Washing  Sweaters 233 

Washing  Teacups,  to  Prevent  Breakage 213 

Washing  Glassware.  To  Avoid  Cracking 209 

Washing  Trimmings  on  a  Dress 167 

Washing  White  Silk  Stockings 232 

Washing  Woolen  Garments  Rapidly 238 

Waste  Pipes  and  Sinks.  Care  of 227 

Water.  Advantage  of  Drinking 51 

Water  and  Fresh  Air 47 

Water  as  a  Food 61 

Water  Best  for  Rinsing 236 

Water,  Boihng.  for  Stains 165 

Water-brash  and  Heartburn 87 

Water,  Clearing  Muddy 236 

Water,  Cold  Applications  of  in  Bleeding 38 

W  ater.  Disease  Germs  in 52 

XLIII 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Water,  Drinking,  and  Galvanized-iron  Pails 201 

Water-drinking  before  Retiring 61 

Water,  Filtering  Boiled 52 

Water,  Filtering  Unsafe 51 

Water,  Hot,  for  Medicinal  Purposes 53 

Water,  Hot,  When  not  to  Drink 62 

Water,  Quantity  needed  Daily 51 

Water,  Removing  "Rust "  from 52 

Water-resisting  Glue 195 

Water,  Safe  Drinking 60-52 

Water,  Simple  Tests  for 204 

Water,  Suspended  Matter  of,  and  Illness 61 

Water,  Testing  Suspected 51 

Waterproofing  Shoes 188 

Water-tank  Cement 194 

Wax,  Black  Sealing,  To  Make 190 

Wax  Polishing  of  Floors 245 

Wax,  Sealing,  for  Fruit  Cans 193 

Wax  Spots  on  Silk,  To  Remove 172 

Weed-killer,  Poisoning  by 132 

Weight  on  Wash-hne,  Use  for 236 

Well,  The  Really  Perfect 52 

Wells,  Cold,  Not  Always  Pure 52 

Wells,  Sort  of.  To  be  Avoided 52 

Wet  Cloths  Over  Registers  when  Shaking  Fires 161 

Whisk  Broom  for  Brushing  Carpets 161 

White  China  Silk,  Cleaning 173 

White  Cotton  P'abrics,  Removing  Silver  Stains  from 172 

White  Flannel  Clothing,  Cleaning 180 

White  Kid  Gloves,  Talcum  Powder  to  Clean 185 

White  Lead  for  Piles 83 

White  of  Egg  for  Wrinkles 30 

White  Paint,  Cleaning 246 

White  Plumes,  Cleaning 176 

White  Spots  on  Furniture 180 

White  Spots  on  Varnished  Furniture 215 

White  Toilet  Cloths,  Washing 230 

White  Woodwork,  Care  of 181 

White  Zephyr  Articles,  To  Clean 166 

Whiten  Flannels,  To 238 

Whitewash  and  Whitewashing 255-256 

Whitewash,  Brown 2.')5 

Whitewash,  Drab  Colored 256 

Whitewash,  Flour  Paste  in 256 

Whitewash  for  Outhouses  and  Fences 256 

Whitewash  that  Won't  Wash  off 256 

Whitewashed  Walls,  Papering 248 

Whooping-cough,  Regimen,  etc.,  for 110 

Whooping-cough,  Remedy  for 110 

Whooping-cough,  Speedy  Cure  for 110 

Wicker  Furniture,  Cleaning 182 

Wicks  for  Lamps 215-216 

Windows,  Cleaning,  with  Newspapers 205 

Windows,  Removing  Paint  from 246 

Windows  that  Stick,  To  Remedy 205 

Windows,  Washing  with  Soda 205 

Window  Screens,  Marking 202 

Window  Screens,  To  Keep  from  Rusting 202 

Window  Shades 189 

Window  Shades,  Fastening  Easily 1.S9 

Wine  Stains  Removed  from  Linen 170 

Winter  Clothing 115 

Winter,  Dentition  More  Severe  in 15 

XLIV 


INDEX 

PAGE 

Winter  Itch,  Application  for 123 

Wire-screen  Griddles 202 

Wire  Tray  as  Dish  Drainer 212 

Woman  's  Best  Friend 53 

Woman's  Headgear  as  Cause  of  Neuralgia 71 

Women  and  Overeating 66 

Women  and  Walking 66 

Women  Predisposed  to  Pneumonia ll* 

Wooden  Kitchen  Utensils,  To  Clean 214 

Wooden  Pails,  To  Prevent  Shrinkage 233 

Woodenware,  Care  of 205 

Woodwork,  OUed,  Treatment  of 190 

Wool  Yellowed  by  Chl.iride  of  Lime 163 

Woolen  Garments,  Rapid  Washing  of 238 

Woolen  Goods,  Use  of  Paper  when  Pressing 177 

Woolen  Lace,  Rinsing 175 

Woolen  Skirts,  Soap  Bark  as  a  Cleaner  of 168 

Worcester  Sauce  for  Seasickness 9^ 

Worms,  To  Prevent 82 

Worn  Brooms,  Use  for 1^9 

Worn-r.ut  Shirt  Cuffs,  Use  of 224 

Wounds  and  Sores 38 

Wounds  and  Sores,  Hot  Water  for 54 

Wounds,  Dressing  of 39 

Wounds,  Extract  of  Quebracho  for 38 

Wounds,  Stopping  Loss  of  Blood  from 39 

Woven  Underwear,  Mending  Large  Holes  in 177 

Wrinkled  Silk,  Improving 173 

Wrinkled  Skirt,  To  Freshen 167 

Wrinkles  around  the  Mouth,  To  Obliterate 29 

Wrinkles,  Astringent  for 30 

Wrinkles  in  Cloth,  To  Remove 180 

Wrinkles  on  the  F'ace 29 

Wrinkles,  Use  of  Hot  Water  for 29 

Wrinkles,  White  of  Egg  and  Alum  for 30 

Wrinkly  Skin  of  the  Neck 29 

Yellowing  of  White  Woodwork  by  Sunlight 181 

Zinc-covered  Tables,  Cleaning 203 

Zinc  Covering  for  Draining  Board 203 

Zinc,  Covering  Kitchen  Tables  and  Shelves  with 203 

Zinc  Placed  Before  Kitchen  Stove 203 

XLV 


PART    ONE 


CARE  OF  THE  SKIN,  TEETH,  AND  HAIR. 

TOILET  PREPARATIONS,  BEAUTIFIERS. 

CARE  OF  THE  HUMAN  BODY. 

PREVENTION  OF  DISEASE. 

CARE  OF  THE  HANDS. 

PERFUMES. 

HOME  NURSING. 

CARE  OF  CHILDREN. 

HOUSEHOLD  REMEDIES. 

HYGIENE.    FEEDING.    BATHING. 

CARE  IN  DIETING.     CAUSES  OF  DISEASE. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


-  The  Porch  Should  be  Screened." 

To  keep  a  cut  clean  until  the  arrival  of  relief  plnce  a  clean  class,  opening 
down,  over  it,  fasten  with  a  bandage  and  have  the  injured  person  take  a  reclining 
position. 

To  prevent  a  draught  from  an  open  window,  place  a  large  sheet  of  cardboard  as 
in  the  above  figure.      The  incoming  air  will  be  deflected  and  follow  along  the  wall. 

Sleeping  in  the  open  air  without  chilling  the  body  can  be  arranged  by  making  a 
tent-like  hood  that  fits  in^the  window  frame  and  into  which  the  steeper  places  his 
head. 

The  up  and  down  brushing  movements  with  the  toothbrush  clean  the  teeth  bet- 
ter than  the  back  and  forward  movements  alone. 


BATHING 

Do  not  bathe  when  tired. 

Avoid  bathing  within  two  hours  after  a  meal. 

Avoid  bathing  when  the  body  is  cooling  after  perspiration. 

In  fatigue,  a  very  hot  bath  lasting  only  half  a  minute  is  good. 

Avoid  chilling  the  body  by  sitting  or  standing  undressed  on  the 
banks  or  in  boats  after  having  been  in  the  water. 

Avoid  remaining  too  long  in  the  water;  leave  the  water  imme- 
diately there  is  the  slightest  feeling  of  chilliness. 

The  vigorous  and  strong  may  bathe  early  in  the  morning  on 
an  empty  stomach. 

Any  excess  in  the  use  of  the  Russian  or  Turkish  bath  is  to  be 
avoided,  especially  where  there  is  a  tendency  to  heart  disease. 

Aromatic  odors  are  to  a  degree  disinfectant,  and  all  agreeable 
perfumes  have  a  more  or  less  soothing  effect  upon  the  nervous  system. 

The  use  of  all  baths  favors  a  free  action  of  the  skin,  and  as  a  mat- 
ter of  course  when  the  skin  is  absolutely  clean  the  complexion  is 
improved. 

The  use  of  aromatic  waters,  oils,  and  perfumes  in  the  bath  is 
desirable  from  a  sanitary  point  of  view  as  well  as  a  matter  of  physical 
luxury. 

Take  a  daily  veater  bath,  not  only  for  cleanliness,  but  for  skin 
gymnastics.  A  cold  bath  is  better  for  this  purpose  than  a  hot  bath. 
A  short  hot  followed  by  a  short  cold  bath  is  still  better. 

For  a  weak  person  when  bathing,  especially  in  summer,  a  gill  of 
ammonia  in  a  small  tub  of  water,  or  some  rock  salt,  is  a  wonderful 
invigorator,  almost  as  good  as  a  sea  bath. 

1 


2  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

The  young  and  those  who  are  weak  had  better  bathe  two  or 
three  hours  after  a  meal;  the  best  time  for  such  is  from  two  to  three 
hours  after  breakfast. 

Those  who  are  subject  to  attacks  of  giddiness  or  faintness,  and 
those  who  suffer  from  palpitation  and  other  sense  of  discomfort  at  the 
heart,  should  not  bathe  without  first  consulting  their  medical  adviser. 

A  neutral  bath,  beginning  at  96  or  98  degrees,  dropping  not 
more  than  5  degrees,  and  continued  fifteen  minutes  or  more,  is  an 
excellent  means  of  resting  the  nerves. 

The  tepid  bath  is  the  best  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  cleanli- 
ness and  healthful  exercise.  To  delicate  females  and  young  children, 
it  is  of  primary  importance. 

Where  soiled  clothes  have  to  be  kept  in  the  bathroom,  a  small 
barrel  painted  inside  and  out,  with  holes  in  the  sides  for  ventilation, 
is  better  than  a  basket. 

Anyone  troubled  with  pimples  should  avoid  bathing  in  cold 
water.  Take  plenty  of  hot  baths,  and  give  the  eruptions  a  chance  to 
come  out  on  the  body,  if  they  must  come  out  at  all.  Wash  the  face 
in  hot  water,  wiping  it  very  gently. 

Avoid  bathing  altogether  in  the  open  air,  if,  after  having  been 
a  short  time  in  the  water,  it  causes  a  sense  of  chilliness,  with  numb- 
ness of  the  hands  and  feet.  Bathe  when  the  body  is  warm,  provided 
no  time  is  lost  in  getting  into  the  water. 

Leave  the  water  immediately  if  the  slightest  feeling  of  chilliness 
is  observed.  Persons  whose  hands  and  feet  have  a  feeling  of  numb- 
ness and  cold,  after  being  in  the  water  a  short  time,  should  not  bathe 
in  the  open  air. 

An  Epsom  salts  bath  is  said  to  be  good  for  women  who  are 
nervous  and  have  kidney  troubles.  Dissolve  two  pounds  of  Epsom 
salts  in  a  bath  tub  of  water,  and  stay  in  the  bath  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes.  The  water  should  be  warm,  but  not  hot.  Take  a  good  rest 
after  the  bath.    This  bath  is  also  considered  a  beautifier. 

Nothing  can  be  more  absurd  than  the  common  practice  of 
mothers  and  nurses  in  washing  children,  no  matter  how  sickly  or 
unwell,  with  cold  water,  under  the  idea  of  bracing  up  the  constitution; 
whereas  the  use  of  tepid  water  alone  is  not  only  the  most  agreeable, 
but  the  most  proper  fluid  to  excite  the  energies  of  the  system  in 
young  children. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  3 

The  sanitary  value  of  baths  is  acknowledged,  so  that  here  it  is 
only  necessary  to  remind  the  reader  that  different  forms  of  the  bath 
produce  different  effects,  the  cold  bath  being  tonic,  and  requiring 
sufficient  vigor  to  insure  reaction  from  the  first  shock  it  occasions, 
the  relaxing  effect  of  the  warm  bath  making  it  necessary  to  guard 
against  taking  cold  after  it. 

The  tepid  bath  is  attended  with  several  advantages;  the  surface 
of  the  skin  is  by  it  freed  from  that  scaly  matter,  which  always  collects 
more  or  less  on  the  healthiest  person;  the  pores  of  the  skin  thus 
being  free,  the  natural  perspiration  is  promoted,  the  limbs  are  ren- 
dered supple,  and  any  stiffness,  which  may  have  been  produced  by 
exertion  or  fatigue,  is  removed.  Such  immersion  has  been  found  to 
allay  thirst — a  proof  that  water  is  absorbed  and  enters  the  body 
through  the  skin. 

To  wash  the  face  thoroughly,  dip  it  down  into  a  basin  of  tepid 
water,  then  soap  the  hands  a  little  and  rub  all  over  the  skin  of  the 
face  with  a  gentle  friction.  Dip  the  face  in  water  a  second  time  and 
dry  with  a  thick,  soft  towel,  rubbing  gently  until  the  skin  glows. 
If  fleshworms  disfigure  the  nose,  rub  this  part  especially  thoroughly, 
and  when  all  is  dry  put  a  little  vaseline  on  the  hand  and  go  all  over 
the  face,  rubbing  it  well  into  the  pores.  Wipe  again  and  dust  over 
with  baby  powder.  Thus  treated,  no  face  will  ever  chap  in  the 
roughest  wind. 

Baths,  to  achieve  much  in  the  way  of  flesh  reduction,  must 
be  persisted  in  and  taken  very  frequently,  often  too  frequently  for 
the  general  health.  The  Turkish  and  Roman  baths  are  what  are 
recommended.  The  Turkish  bath  should  be  given,  so  as  to  make  the 
perspiration  very  free.  This  is  what  is  supposed  to  carry  off  the  fat. 
In  my  opinion,  while  the  baths  will  keep  down  the  fiesh  and  will 
reduce  it  somewhat,  they  cannot  accomplish  much  unless  taken 
too  often  and  continued  too  long  to  be  compatible  with  health.  To 
keep  the  skin  healthy  and  to  remove  the  outer  layers  of  the  skin, 
soak  in  a  hot  bath,  or  take  a  cabinet  bath  or  Turkish  bath  once  a 
week;  but  these  taken  only  once  a  week  will  do  little  in  the  way  of 
flesh  reduction. 


BATHS  AND  TOILET  WATERS 

Use  oatmeal  instead  of  soap  for  toilet  purposes. 

Sulphur  Bath. — Four  ounces  potassium  sulphide  and  one  ounce 
sulphuric  acid  dissolved  in  thirty  gallons  of  water. 


4  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Verbena  Water. — Oil  of  lemon  grass,  three  drachms;  oil  of  lemon 
peel,  one-half  ounce;  deodorized  alcohol,  three  pints. 

Florida  Water. — Oil  of  lavender,  two  ounces;  oil  of  lemon,  one 
ounce;  oil  of  orange  (peel),  one  ounce;  oil  of  clove,  five  drachms; 
deodorized  alcohol,  one  gallon. 

A  little  ammonia  in  hard  water  makes  a  satisfactory  and  healthy 
bath.  The  mineral  constituents  of  the  hard  water  from  artesian 
wells  are  principally  of  the  various  combinations  of  lime  and  magnesia. 

An  ounce  of  clove  pink  petals  infused  in  three-quarters  of  a 
pint  of  pure  alcohol  with  a  few  verbena  leaves  is  a  refreshing  odor 
for  the  bath. 

Lavender  water  is  made  by  slowly  steeping  for  one  hour  in  a 
covered  farina  boiler  one  pound  of  fresh  lavender  with  one  pint  of 
water.  On  its  removal  from  the  fire  add  two  quarts  of  alcohol,  filter 
and  bottle  for  use. 

Cologne  Water  (Ordinary). — Oil  of  lavender,  one-half  ounce; 
oil  of  rosemary,  one-half  ounce;  oil  of  bergamot,  one  ounce;  oil  of 
lemon,  two  ounces;  oil  of  clove,  one-half  drachm;  deodorized  alcohol, 
one  gallon. 

Toilet  waters  can  be  easily  made  at  home.  For  violet  water 
put  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  fresh  picked,  sweet  violets  together  with 
their  weight  of  pure  alcohol,  into  a  large  bottle,  cork  and  shake  the 
bottle  every  day  for  one  week;  then  add  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of 
water,  filter  and  bottle  for  use. 

One  of  the  most  delightful  of  home-made  toilet  waters  is 
cherry  laurel  water.  Bruise  one  ounce  of  bay  leaves  and  add  to 
them  a  half  pint  of  water.  Steep  slowly  for  an  hour  in  a  farina  boiler, 
take  it  from  the  fire  and  add  one  quart  of  lavender  water,  filter  and 
bottle  for  use. 

Perfumed  Powder  for  Boxes  and  Drawers. — Coriander  powder, 
Florentine  orris  root  powder,  powdered  rose  leaves,  powdered  sweet- 
scented  flag  root,  of  each  two  ounces;  lavender  flowers,  jjowdered, 
four  ounces;  musk,  one  scruple;  powder  of  sandal-wood,  one  drachm. 
Mix. 

Violet  sachet  powder  for  perfuming  clothes,  notcpaper,  etc.: 
Powdered  rose  leaves  or  orris  root,  three  pounds;  powdered  bergamot 
peel,  one  pound;  powdered  cloves  and  cinnamon,  eacli  six  ounces; 
powdered  acacia  and  orange  flowers,  each  eight  ounces;  starch,  three 
pounds. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  5 

An  excellent  quality  of  bay  rum  may  be  easily  prepared  as 
follows:  Dissolve  ten  cents'  worth  of  magnesia  in  two  quarts  of 
rain  water;  add  two  quarts  of  alcohol  and  one  ounce  of  the  oil  of 
bay.  Make  a  funnel  of  filtering  paper  and  pour  the  mixture  slowly 
through  it,  after  which  bottle  and  cork  tightly.  In  using  dilute  with 
rain  water  to  any  strength  required. 

Cologne  Water  (First  Quality).  —  Oil  of  neroH,  bigarade,  six 
drachms;  oil  ot  rosemary  flowers,  three  drachms;  oil  of  bergamot, 
three  drachms;  oil  of  cedrat,  seven  drachms;  oii  of  orange  (peel), seven 
drachms;  deodorized  alcohol,  one  gallon.  Allow  the  mixture  to  stand 
a  week,  to  secure  a  complete  jombination  of  the  various  odors.  The 
foregoing  recipe  yields  a  delightful  preparation,  but  it  is  somewhat 
expensive. 

Lavender  Water. — Oil  of  lavender,  two  ounces;  deodorized  alco- 
hol, three  pints. 

It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the  essential  oils  used  in  mak- 
ing these  "waters"  siiould  be  fresh,  esyjecially  those  of  the  citrine 
family.  Oils  of  orange  and  lemon  as  often  found  in  the  market  are 
strongly  terebinthate  from  exposure  to  the  air;  and  with  such  oils 
it  is  of  course  impossible  to  secure  results  satisfactory  to  judges  of 
perfumes. 

Provence  roses  and  jasmine,  lavender  flowers  and  rose  petals, 
with  sprigs  of  rosemary,  form  a  delightful  adjunct  to  the  summer 
bath.  To  a  pint  of  pure  vinegar,  add  half  an  ounce  of  lavender  flowers 
or  jasmine,  the  same  quantity  of  common  red  rose  petals,  the  juice  of 
a  lemon,  and  a  few  sprigs  of  rosemary.  Infuse  for  two  days  in  an 
earthera  jar,  then  stand  the  jar  in  a  kettle  of  warm  water  for  a  day, 
and  filter  the  contents  through  chemists'  paper.  Add  sprigs  of 
thyme  or  rue,  a  handful  of  clover  blossoms,  if  you  like  their  odor, 
and  sprinkle  a  few  drops  in  the  hand-basin  or  a  tablespoonful  in 
the  bath. 

Rose  Potpourri. — Gather  the  rose  leaves;  pack  them  in  a  stone 
crock  with  alternate  layers  of  salt.  Keep  in  a  cool,  dry  place.  Leave 
for  a  week  after  the  last  petals  have  been  added,  then  turn  out  on 
a  broad  tray,  and  toss  and  mix  thoroughly.  Mix  well  with  the  in- 
gredients given  below,  return  to  jar,  and  pack  away  to  ripen  for 
six  weeks. 

Powders. — One-half  ounce  each  of  violet,  rose  and  heliotrope  pow- 
ders; one  ounce  of  ])owdered  orris  root,  a  half  teaspoonful  each  of 
mace  and  cloves,  one  quarter  teaspoonful  of  cinnamon.  Liquids. — 
Four  drops  oil  of  roses,  ten  drops  oil  of  neroli,  twenty  drops  oil  of 
lavender,  twenty  droris  oil  of  eucalyptus,  ten  drops  of  bergamot,  two 
drachms  of  pure  alcohol. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


HOW  TO  TREAT  AN  INGROWING  NAIL,  CORNS, 
WATER  BLISTERS,  ETC. 

The  first  consideration  in  the  care  of  the  feet  is  cleanliness — 
absolute,  unfailing  and  systematic. 

In  dressing  the  feet,  they  should  be  washed  quickly  every  day, 
and  now  and  then  given  a  good  soaking  while  any  callous  places 
are  rubbed  with  pumice  stone.  If  the  bath  is  given  daily  it  needs 
but  a  few  minutes. 

For  ingrowing  toenail,  take  one  drachm  of  muriatic  acid,  one 
drachm  of  nitric  acid,  and  one  ounce  of  chloride  of  zinc.  Apply  one 
drop  of  this  mixture  to  the  affected  part  once  a  day.  This  gives 
instant  relief  to  the  pain  caused  by  ingrowing  toenail. 

The  comers  of  the  nails  should  be  frequently  lifted  to  prevent 
ingrowing,  which  often  comes  with  the  narrow  shoes;  and  although 
the  nails  should  be  cut,  great  pains  should  be  taken  not  to  cut  them 
to  the  quick,  as,  aside  from  the  annoyance,  that  act  has  been  known 
to  produce  lockjaw. 

An  ingrowing  nail  is  almost  always  the  result  of  a  tight  or 
badly  shaped  boot  or  shoe.  When  there  appears  the  first  symptoms 
of  such,  pare  the  edges  carefully,  rubbing  with  vaseline  or  some 
emollient,  and  if  it  develops  into  a  serious  case  it  must  be  poulticed 
and  bathed  frequently  in  hot  water. 

Hebra  treats  ingrowing  nail  in  the  following  manner:  Cut 
some  flakes  of  lint  of  the  length  of  the  lateral  groove  of  the  nail,  or 
a  little  longer.  The  lint  is  to  be  placed  on  the  nail,  parallel  to  its 
groove;  then  with  a  flat  probe  introduce  the  lint,  thread  by  thread, 
between  the  flesh  and  nail.  Thus  the  parts  are  separated,  with  the 
little  cushion  of  lint  lying  between.  The  sulcus  is  then  to  be  filled 
with  pledgets  of  lint,  and  finally  long  narrow  strips  of  adhesive  plas- 
ter are  to  be  applied,  always  from  above  the  inflamed  sulcus  down- 
ward, in  such  a  manner  that  the  latter  is  still  farther  removed  from 
the  margin  of  the  nail.  With  such  a  dressing  applied  with  sufficient 
care,  there  is  no  pain  whatever;  and  the  patient  can  in  a  short  time 
put  on  his  ordinary  stocking,  and  walk  without  trouble.  After 
twenty-four  hours  the  strips  of  adhesive  plaster  are  to  be  removed, 
being  previously  softened  in  a  bath  of  tepid  water.  This  dressing 
is  to  be  repeated  daily;  in  from  two  to  four  weeks  it  will  be  found 
that  the  toe  is  entirely  well. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  7 

Next  in  your  pedicuring  operations  examine  the  toes  carefully 
for  soft  corns,  which  come  between  them.  Constant  rubbing  in  the 
bath  will  ward  these  off  and  generally  remove  them. 

In  spite  of  long  established  tradition  we  would  recommend 
never  applying  the  knife  to  a  soft  or  hard  com,  even,  unless  as  a  last 
resort.    It  almost  invariably  induces  a  return  of  the  trouble. 

To  get  rid  of  a  soft  corn,  apply  a  little  raw  cotton  soaked  in 
castor  oil.    Bind  it  upon  the  com  with  a  strip  of  soft,  old  linen. 

If  you  will  thoroughly  soak  the  foot  in  hot  mustard  and  water, 
rubbing  the  corn  all  the  time,  you  will  find  in  nearly  every  case  it 
can  be  picked  out  from  the  heart,  an  application  of  strong  aromatic 
vinegar  assisting  the  operation;  while,  if  obstinate,  touch  with  iodine 
every  other  day,  never  neglecting  the  nightly  bath. 

Lint  dipped  in  some  soft  cream  or  vaseline  should  be  placed 
between  the  afflicted  toes  and  a  light  bandage  put  to  hold  it  in  place. 

While  working  for  a  cure  an  easy  shoe  or  boot  must  be  worn. 

To  get  rid  of  corns,  dress  them  every  night  with  turpentine. 
After  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  of  this  treatment,  the  corns,  with 
their  roots,  will  "tumble  out." 

Try  poultices  of  bread  soaked  in  vinegar  on  your  corns.  Bind 
them  on  with  a  strip  of  cloth,  and  change  them  every  two  hours 
until  the  com  has  become  less  sore,  then  change  twice  daily  until  it 
is  cured. 

Some  corns  are  so  painful  that  neither  paint  nor  plaster  can  be 
endured,  something  of  the  nature  of  a  shield  alone  giving  relief.  For 
such  cases  as  these  the  following  "wrinkle"  may  be  appreciated. 
Take  a  corn-shield,  enlarge  the  diameter  of  the  hole  to  a  small  extent 
by  means  of  a  knife  or  scissors,  and  apply  in  the  usual  way.  Then 
place  in  the  hollow  thus  formed  over  the  corn  a  small  quantity  of 
any  of  the  following  solutions:  Salicylic  acid  and  ext.  Cannabis  ind. 
dissolved  in  ether;  or,  ext.  Cannabis  indica,  half  a  drachm,  dissolved 
in  two  drachms  of  liquor  potassae;  or,  a  saturated  solution  of  iodine 
or  iodide  of  potash  in  strong  alcohol.  The  shield  does  the  double  serv- 
ice of  taking  the  pressure  of  the  boot  off  the  com  and  at  the  same 
time  preventing  the  liquid  from  being  mbbed  off  by  the  sock,  while 
all  of  these  solutions  penetrate  the  skin  much  more  rapidly  than  the 
usual  collodion  preparation,  and  are  consequently  much  more  effect- 
ive in  their  operation. 


8  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

The  saturated  solution  of  iodine  often  succeeds  in  removing 
corns  and  indurated  epidermis  when  all  else  has  failed,  and  the 
solvent  action  of  liquor  potassae  is  a  sufficient  credential  to  induce  for 
it  at  least  a  trial. 

In  case  of  any  injury  to  the  foot,  such  as  a  laceration  or  the 
thrust  of  a  rusty  nail  gives,  keep  the  foot  wet  and  well  bound  up  in 
olive  oil,  and  there  will  be  little  danger  of  lockjaw. 

Many  suffer  with  water  blisters.  These  can  be  treated  by 
opening  them  carefully  with  a  sharp  scissors,  but  do  not  cut  away 
the  loose  skin  until  for  a  day  or  two  there  has  been  a  light  applica- 
tion of  simple  cerate  on  a  soft  rag  while  a  new  cuticle  is  forming. 
Nor  is  it  wise  to  cut  too  freely  the  proud  or  callous  flesh  which  comes 
on  the  sole  and  heel  so  often.  Rubbing  with  pumice  stone  after  the 
bath  will  nearly  always  remove  this  and  prevent  it. 

Corns,  bunions  and  callosities  are  benefited  by  painting  with 
iodine.    First  soak  thoroughly  in  hot  water. 

The  feet  should  always  be  kept  dry  and  warm;  cold  feet  are  a 
fruitful  source  of  consumption. 

Tender  feet  are  sometimes  indicative  of  feeble  health,  and 

in  that  case  the  medical  attendant  is  to  be  called  upon  to  build  up 
the  sufferer. 

Any  ordinary  chill  and  numbness  maybe  cured  by  friction; 
but  even  a  resort  to  knitted  woolen  bed  socks  by  night,  and  hot 
water  foot-warmers  by  day,  is  better  than  to  let  them  remain  cold 
while  the  blood  lies  congestively  and  poisonously  about  the  heart 
and  lungs. 

The  quickest  lelief  from  fatigue  is  to  plunge  the  foot  in  ice-cold 
water  and  keep  it  immersed  until  there  is  a  sensation  of  warmth. 
Another  tonic  for  the  sole  is  a  handful  of  alcohol.  This  is  a  sure  way 
of  drying  the  feet  after  being  out  in  the  storm.  Spirit  baths  are  used 
by  professional  dancers,  acrobats  and  pedestrians  to  keep  the  feet 
in  condition. 

Tender  feet  are  generally  the  result  of  tight  shoes  and  of  the 
continued  use  of  those  that  are  waterproof,  wliich  confine  the  per- 
spiration and  keep  the  feet  in  a  perpetual  warm  bath.  The  tight 
shoes  and  tlie  waterproofing  or  india-rubber  wear  should  be  discarded 
where  the  feet  have  become  tender,  and  the  feet  should  be  soaked 
frequently  with  a  handful  of  bran  in  tlie  water,  or,  better  still,  of 
borax,  and  afterwards  subjected  to  gentle  but  firm  friction. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


PERSPIRING  FEET 

There  are  certain  feet  which  exhale  a  disagreeable  odor, 

and  one  of  which  the  owner  is  usually  unconscious.  When  one  makes 
sure  of  it,  if  frequent  bathing  and  changes  of  hosiery  do  not  abolish 
the  scent,  a  portion  of  salicylic  acid  in  the  foot-bath  will  generally 
do  so,  correcting  the  pungency  and  foulness  of  the  perspiration. 
Where  this  is  not  attainable,  a  teaspoonful  of  chloride  of  lime  may 
be  used  in  their  bath,  or,  twice  as  much  spirits  of  ammonia,  and  even 
common  salt,  or,  a  little  vinegar  has  been  known  to  make  a  great 
improvement.    No  soap  is  to  be  used  with  any  of  these  preparations. 

For  Perspiring  Feet. — Talc,  ten  parts;  alum,  two  parts.  Largely 
used  in  Swiss  army,  preferable  to  chromic  acid,  and  applicable  even 
for  sore  feet. 

Remedy  for  Excessive  Perspiration. — Carbolic  acid,  one  part; 
burnt  alum,  four  parts;  starch,  two  hundred  parts;  French  chalk, 
fifty  parts;  oil  of  lemon,  two  parts.  Make  a  fine  powder,  to  be 
applied  to  the  hands  and  feet,  or  to  be  sprinkled  inside  of  the  gloves 
or  stockings. 

Moisture  of  the  hands  and  feet,  when  excessive,  is  often  cured 
by  the  use  of  ablutions  of  boracic  acid,  one  part  acid  to  twenty  of 
hot  water.  Powder  afterwards  with  the  following:  Salicylic  acid, 
three  parts;  talc,  seven  parts;  starch,  ninety  parts;  all  powdered. 
Lycopodium  powder  is  also  a  good  remedy  if  frequently  rubbed  on  the 
skin  affected. 

A  warm  bath  with  an  ounce  of  sea  salt  is  almost  as  restful  as 
a  nap.  Paddle  in  the  water  until  it  cools,  dry  with  a  rough  towel, 
put  on  fresh  stockings,  have  a  change  of  shoes,  and  the  woman  who 
was  "ready  to  drop"  will  have  a  very  good  understanding  in  ten 
minutes. 

CHILBLAINS 

They  are  most  often  the  sequel  of  thoughtlessness,  of  holding 
the  feet  to  a  hot  fire  after  they  have  been  chilled;  and  warmth  and 
dryness  are  their  best  preventives.  When,  however,  they  have  ar- 
rived, one  of  the  most  helpful  things  to  do  with  them  is  to  paint 
them  twice  a  day  with  tincture  of  iodine,  not  putting  on  quite  enough 
to  blister.  Instead  of  this,  they  may  be  rubbed  with  turpentine,  or 
with  camphorated  oil. 


10  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Oil  of  sassafras,  applied  full  strength,  is  excellent  for  chilblains. 
This  is  also  good  for  corns. 

To  prevent  chilblains  the  best  plan  is  to  take  as  much  exercise 
as  possible,  and  avoid  tight  wristbands,  garters,  and  everything  that 
prevents  the  circulation  of  the  blood. 

Few  ailments  rival  the  exquisite  torture  which  chilblains  know 
how  to  give,  when  the  skin  becomes  a  leaden  or  deep  purple  color 
and  itches,  aches,  and  bums  unbearably. 

The  most  frequent  cause  of  chilblains  is  the  warming  of 
numbed  hands  and  feet  at  the  fire;  this  habit  should  be  carefully 
avoided.  Encourage  children  to  use  the  skipping-rope  during  cold 
weather — this  is  a  capital  preventive — together  with  regularly  wash- 
ing and  rubbing  the  feet. 

We  give  a  few  household  remedies  for  the  cure  of  these  dis- 
agreeable companions.  1.  Take  half  an  ounce  of  white  wax,  one 
ounce  of  ox-marrow,  two  ounces  of  lard;  melt  slowly  over  a  fire  in  a 
pipkin,  and  mix  them  well  together;  then  strain  through  a  linen 
cloth.  2.  Before  going  to  bed  spread  the  ointment  on  the  parts 
affected,  feet  or  hands,  taking  care  to  wrap  them  up  well.  3.  Lemon 
juice  rubbed  on  the  inflamed  parts  is  said  to  stop  the  itching.  4.  A 
sliced  onion  dipped  in  salt  has  the  same  effect,  but  is  apt  to  make 
the  feet  tender.  5.  When  the  chilblains  are  broken,  a  little  warm 
vinegar,  or  tincture  of  myrrh,  is  an  excellent  thing  to  bathe  the 
wound  and  keep  it  clean.  6.  Another  useful  remedy  is  a  bread 
poultice,  at  bedtime,  and  in  the  morning  apply  a  little  resin  ointment 
spread  on  a  piece  of  lint  or  old  linen. 

If  the  skin  breaks,  that  is  another  thing,  and  they  should  then 
be  anointed  with  glycerine,  or  with  spermaceti  ointment  to  every 
seven  drachms  of  which  have  been  added  two  drachms  of  glycerine 
and  one  drachm  of  pulverized  gall-nuts. 


To  remove  moth  patches,  put  one  tablespoonful  of  the  flour  of 
sulphur  in  a  pint  of  rum.  Apply  to  the  patches  once  a  day  and  in 
two  or  three  weeks  they  will  disappear. 

Moles  may  be  removed  by  cautery,  by  excision,  by  caustic,  by 
ligature,  by  electrolysis.  Of  all  these  methods,  electrolysis  is  the 
best,  because  it  leaves  very  little  scar  and  causes  comparatively  little 
pain.  Caustics  cause  the  least  pain  and  are  easily  applied,  but  their 
operation  is  tedious,  and  they  are  apt  to  stain  and  disfigure  the  skin. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  11 


WARTS 

If  they  give  you  no  special  inconvenience,  let  them  alone.  But 
if  it  is  of  essential  importance  to  get  rid  of  them,  purchase  half  an 
ounce  of  muriatic  acid,  put  it  in  a  broad-bottomed  vial,  so  that  it 
vpill  not  easily  turn  over;  take  a  stick  as  large  as  the  end  of  a  knitting- 
needle,  dip  it  into  tlie  acid,  and  touch  the  top  of  the  wart  with  what- 
ever of  the  acid  adheres  to  the  stick;  then,  with  the  end  of  the  stick, 
rub  the  acid  into  the  top  of  the  wart,  without  allowing  the  acid  to 
touch  the  well  skin.  Do  this  night  and  morning,  and  a  safe,  painless, 
and  effectual  cure  is  the  result;  or,  apply  castor  oil  to  a  wart  several 
times  a  day  for  a  week  or  two,  and  it  will  disappear  and  not  return; 
or,  apply  washing  soda,  just  wet,  a  few  times;  let  it  remain  on,  and 
they  will  soon  disappear  altogether;  or,  scrape  a  carrot  fine  and 
apply  as  a  poultice  for  six  nights;  or,  rub  sal-ammoniac  on  the  wart 
twice  a  day  until  it  disappears. 


THE  CARE  OF  THE  TEETH 

Tincture  of  camphor,  ten  to  twelve  drops  in  a  tumbler  of  water, 
makes  a  good  daily  wash  for  the  teeth. 

Hard  brushes  make  the  gums  recede  from  the  teeth,  and 
produce  premature  decay  by  exposing  the  soft  bone  of  the  tooth  to 
the  air. 

The  direction  of  the  brushing  should  always  be  from  the  gums, 
not  toward  them — that  is,  downward  for  the  upper  teeth  and  up- 
ward for  the  lower. 

One  should  have  a  good  mouthwash  standing  on  the  toilet 
table  handy  in  a  covered  glass,  so  that  after  eating  anything  the 
mouth  can  be  washed  clean. 

A  saturated  solution  of  boric  acid  makes  a  good  and  inexpen- 
sive wash.  If  the  teeth  are  sensitive,  a  wash  of  bicarbonate  of  soda 
is  excellent,  a  teaspoonful  to  a  glassful  of  water. 

Cracking  nuts,  biting  thread,  eating  hot  food,  especially  bread 
and  pastry  raised  with  soda,  very  cold  drinks,  alternate  contact  with 
cold  and  hot  substances,  highly  seasoned  food,  alcoholic  liquors  and 
tobacco,  metal  toothpicks,  and  want  of  cleanliness  are  injurious  to 
the  teeth. 


12  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

It  is  best  to  rinse  the  mouth  thoroughly  before  brushing  the 
teeth,  for  that  will  remove  the  larger  particles  of  food  which  have 
accumulated. 

Tooth  brushes  should  be  elastic  and  moderately  hard,  those 
in  which  the  bristles  are  placed  a  little  apart  are  the  most  desirable. 
A  brush  that  is  too  hard  may  be  permanently  softened  by  dipping  it 
into  hot  water. 

Rub  up  and  down  as  well  as  across  the  teeth.  A  drop  or  two  of 
tincture  of  myrrh  in  the  cup  of  water  used  for  cleansing  the  teeth 
will  aid  in  producing  a  healthy  hardness  to  the  gums  and  also 
sweeten  the  breath. 

All  teeth  are  practically  alike,  chemically.  The  conditions 
in  the  mouth  around  the  teeth  are  the  cause  of  decay.  These  con- 
ditions parents  and  dentists  can  control.  Care  from  babyhood  will 
prevent  75  per  cent,  of  the  decay  and  an  even  greater  percentage  of 
irregular  teeth. 

Wash  to  Perfume  the  Breath. — Cloves,  bruised  in  a  mortar, 
three  teaspoonfuls;  boiling  water,  one  pint.  Infuse  for  an  hour  in  a 
covered  vessel — exactly  as  in  making  tea — when  cold,  decant,  or 
filter  through  coarse  muslin.  Wash  the  mouth  with  it  as  often  as 
may  seem  necessary. 

Antiseptic  Mouthwash. — Dr.  Miller  finds  that  by  using  the 
following  mixture  he  could  completely  sterilize  th.e  mouth,  cavities 
in  carious  teeth,  etc.:  Thymol,  4  grains;  benzoic  acid,  45  grains; 
tincture  of  eucalyptus,  3-2  fluid  drachms;  water,  25  fluid  ounces.  The 
mouth  is  to  be  well  rinsed  with  this  mixture,  especially  before  going 
to  bed. 

A  good  way  to  clean  teeth  is  to  dip  the  brush  in  water,  rub  it 
over  genuine  castile  soap,  then  dijj  in  it  prepared  chalk.  The  bristles 
of  the  tooth  brush  cannot  well  be  too  soft,  and  they  should  be  ar- 
ranged in  separate  bundles,  in  order  that  they  may  pass  readily 
between  the  teeth  and  into  the  natural  depressions. 

During  babyhood  the  mouth  should  be  thoroughly  and 
regularly  cleansed  with  a  solution  of  boracic  acid.  After  two  years 
a  small  soft  brush  may  be  employed,  and  the  child  taught  to  use  it 
with  a  downward  and  upward  motion.  He  should  also  be  taught  the 
use  of  mouth  washes.  A  pinch  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  in  a  little  warm 
water  is  a  splendid  purifier,  and  if  the  gums  need  hardening  salt  and 
water  is  excellent.  A  little  of  the  baking  soda  in  wnrm  water  will 
relieve  inflammation. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  13 

In  cases  of  serious  hemorrhage  after  tooth-extraction  the 

plugging  of  the  cavity  with  wool  soaked  in  turpentine  is  at  once 
rapid  and  effectual. 

Every  cavity  has  the  following  history:  (1)  An  unclean  spot 
on  the  tooth;  (2)  the  bacteria  which  produce  decay  are  thus  able  to 
stick  there;  (3)  they  become  covered  and  protected  by  a  gelatinous 
mucoid  covering;  (4)  under  the  protection  of  this  covering  they 
produce  an  acid  which  destroys  the  enamel  at  the  spot,  forming  a 
cavity;   (5)  these  bacteria  thrive  on  starchy  and  sweet  foods. 

The  cavities  of  decay  in  teeth  are  nesting-places  for  the  germs 

of  many  diseases,  such  as  diphtheria,  pneumonia,  tuberculosis,  etc., 
and  these  germs  are  always  on  the  spot  ever  ready  to  take  hold  of 
weakened  tissue.  By  keeping  the  mouth  clean  with  the  tooth  brush 
and  having  cavities  filled  and  missing  teeth  replaced  by  the  dentist 
the  danger  of  infection  is  lessened. 

It  is  more  essential  to  brush  the  teeth  after  meals  than  it  is 
to  wash  the  face  before  them,  as  is  the  practice  of  farmers.  Dr. 
Osicr  says  that  there  is  no  one  single  thing  in  the  whole  range  of 
hygiene  more  important  than  the  hygiene  of  the  mouth;  and  Dr. 
Grady,  of  the  Annapolis  Academy,  says:  "The  tooth-brush  drill  is 
as  needful  as  any  gymnastic  exercise  for  the  preservation  of  health." 

Offensive  Breath. — This  may  be  due  to  bad  teeth,  to  be 
remedied  by  the  dentist.  Otherwise  (unless  due  to  gangrene  of  the 
lung  or  cancer  inside  the  mouth,  neither  of  which  are  slight  ailments), 
it  is  generally  due  to  eating  too  much  and  taking  too  little  exercise, 
and  is  cured  by  regulated  diet,  with  laxatives  and  bicarbonate  of 
potash  taken  15  or  20  grains  (or  a  like  quantity  of  sal  ammoniac),  in 
a  tumbler  of  water,  night  and  morning. 

The  chief  rules  which  must  be  attended  to  and  observed 
in  connection  with  the  care  of  the  teeth  are  as  follows:  First, 
if  possible,  the  mouth  should  be  rinsed  out  after  every  meal. 
Secondly,  the  teeth  should  be  brushed,  night  and  morning,  with 
a  tooth  powder;  mere  tooth  "washes"  are  ineffective  in  keeping 
the  teeth  clean  and  pure.  A  good  powder  is  the  "precipitated 
chalk"  of  druggists,  well  made,  and  having  a  little  camphor  added. 
This  preparation  is  sold  under  the  name  of  "camphorated  chalk," 
and  the  camphor  has  a  stimulating  and  healthy  influence  on  the 
gums.  Thirdly,  use  a  medium  tooth  brush,  neither  too  hard  nor 
too  soft,  and  use  water  with  the  chill  taken  off,  wherewith  to  brush 
the  teeth.  By  attention  to  these  simple  rules,  not  merely  will  a 
notable  item  in  personal  appearance  be  preserved,  but  health  will 
be  secured,  and  pain  avoided. 


14  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


TOOTHACHE 

To  Relieve  Toothache. — Dr.  Popoff  recommends  a  solution  of 
potassium  permanganate,  1  part  to  500,  as  a  remedy  for  toothache. 
A  little  of  this  solution  is  to  be  held  in  contact  with  the  tooth,  for  a 
few  minutes,  repeating  the  application  every  half-hour. 

Toothache  can  be  effectually  cured  by  putting  a  small  piece 
of  cotton  wet  with  ammonia  into  the  cavity  of  the  affected  tooth; 
or,  pulverize  about  equal  parts  of  common  salt  and  alum.  Cut  as 
much  cotton  as  will  fill  the  tooth;  damp  it;  put  it  in  the  mixture, 
and  place  it  in  the  tooth.  This  is  also  a  good  mixture  for  cleansing 
the  teeth. 

Toothache  often  arises  from  acidity  of  the  saliva,  which 
causes  irritation  and  inflammation  of  the  exposed  nerves.  A  strong 
solution  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  will  generally  remedy  this  kind  of 
toothache.  The  mouth  should  be  well  rinsed  with  the  solution,  and 
it  may  be  also  applied  to  the  teeth  and  gums  with  a  moderately 
hard  tooth  brush. 

To  alleviate  the  pain  of  toothache — nothing,  probably,  but 
filling  or  extraction  can  work  a  perfect  cure — take  at  once  a  tolerably 
strong  dose  of  opening  medicine.  As  a  rule,  no  soonor  does  this 
operate  than  the  pain  disappears  for  a  wock  or  two.  Meanwhile  a 
little  bit  of  cotton  dipped  in  a  solution  of  shellac,  or  of  gum  mastic 
and  spirits  of  wine  makes  a  good  temporary  stopping  for  decayed 
teeth.  Creosote  is  the  safest  domestic  remedy  to  employ  if  the  pain 
be  very  bad.  To  avoid,  however,  scarifying  the  tongue  and  gums, 
you  should  get  a  friend  to  apply  it  for  you  by  putting  a  bit  of  cotton 
wool  dipped  in  it  into  the  hollow  of  the  tooth. 

Remedy  for  Toothache. — First  wash  the  mouth  well  with  warm 
water,  then  use  the  following  tincture:  Tannin,  10  grains;  gum 
mastic,  §  drachm;  10  drops  of  carbolic  acid;  dissolve  in  §  ounce  of 
sulphuric  ether.  Paint  the  decaj^ed  hollow  of  the  aching  tooth  over 
with  this  tincture  twice  or  thrice,  using  a  camel's  hair  brush.  The 
tincture  will  remain  in  good  condition  for  a  month  or  more,  provided 
care  is  taken  to  keep  it  in  a  vial  with  a  glass  stopper. 

Toothache  Wax. — Into  two  parts  of  melted  white  wax  or  sperma- 
ceti one  part  of  carbolic  acid  crystals  and  two  parts  of  chloral  hy- 
drate crystals  are  introduced,  and  the  whole  well  stirred.  Into  this 
liquid  thin  layers  of  carholizcd  cotton  wool  are  introduced  and  al- 
lowed to  dry.  A  plug  of  this,  slightly  warmed,  inserted  into  a  hol- 
low tooth,  is  said  to  give  immediate  relief. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  15 


PAINFUL  DENTITION 


A  drop  or  two  of  camphorated  spirits  will  allay  inflammation 
of  the  gums. 

Hager  recommends  the  following  in  case  of  painful  denti- 
tion.— Chloroform,  ten  drops;  tincture  of  Spanish  crocus,  half  a 
drachm;  honey,  half  an  ounce;  glycerine,  one  ounce.  To  be  rubbed 
on  the  gums  to  ally  irritation. 

Dentition  is  commonly  more  severe  in  the  winter  than  in 
summer,  and  in  large  cities  than  in  the  country,  and  among  the 
badly-nourished  children  of  the  poor  than  the  carefully-tended  ofif- 
spring  of  the  rich. 

The  treatment  of  teething  should  be  mostly  preventive.  The 
child  does  not  need  medicines  but  fresh  air.  If  it  lives  in  the  city, 
the  greatest  care  should  be  taken  to  supply  the  child  with  pure  air, 
by  taking  it  out  to  the  parks  and  public  squares,  very  much  of  the 
time  when  the  weather  will  permit.  The  rooms  in  which  it  lives  and 
sleeps  should  be  so  well  ventilated  as  to  be  always  supplied  with  as 
pure  air  as  possible.  Pure  air  is  a  great  essential  in  preventing  trouble 
and  danger  with  children  during  teething. 

The  habit  of  stuffing  a  little  child  with  a  great  variety  of  food, 
salted  and  seasoned,  is  almost  sure  to  derange  the  whole  digestive 
canal,  and  through  this  medium  so  affect  the  child's  health  as  to 
make  teething  a  serious  affair.  If  the  child  is  not  weaned,  and  the 
mother's  or  nurse's  milk  is  abundant  and  good,  this  should  constitute 
the  little  one's  sole  food.  If  cow's  milk  is  used  it  should  be  from  a 
new  milch  cow  that  is  perfectly  healthy  and  properly  fed.  Cows  fed 
on  slops  of  all  sorts  can  never  give  perfectly  healthy  milk.  If  the 
child  is  weaned,  bread  and  milk,  good  potatoes,  boiled  rice,  oatmeal 
gruel  or  barley  gruel,  and  a  little  ripe  fruit  will  all  be  excellent.  Feed 
with  great  regularity  and  not  oftener  than  once  in  four  hours. 

In  its  application  to  carious  teeth  creosote  is  often  incon- 
venient, in  consequence  of  its  fluidity  producing  ill-effects  upon  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth.  This  may  be  obviated  by  giving 
to  it  a  gelatinous  solidity  by  adding  ten  parts  of  collodion  to  fifteen 
of  creosote.  This,  besides  being  more  manageable  then  liquid 
creosote,  also  closes  up  the  orifice  in  the  tooth,  preventing  the  access 
of  the  air  to  the  dental  nerve. 


16  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


THE  CARE  OF  THE  HAIR  AND  SCALP 

Loosei-.  the  hair  on  retiring,  and  allow  it  to  remain  so  at  least 
until  morning. 

Washing  combs  in  water  soon  causes  them  to  warp  and  break. 
A  stiff,  dry  nail  brush  is  a  good  cleansing  agent. 

To  clean  hair  brushes,  wash  with  a  weak  solution  of  washing 
soda,  rinse  out  all  the  soda,  and  expose  to  the  sun. 

A  coarse  comb  should  be  used  in  preference  to  a  fine  one,  though 
the  latter  may  be  used  occasionally  to  comb  out  the  hair. 

The  ordinary  hair  brush  of  soft  texture  is  as  good  a  brush  as 
one  need  use.    The  bristles  should  not  be  set  too  closely,  nor  be  too 

stiff. 

Beware  of  paying  too  much  attention  to  the  hair,  as  well  as 
neglecting  it.  Some  women  spoil  their  hair  by  twisting,  pulling, 
crimping,  and  torturing  their  hair  generally. 

Never  do  your  hair  up  tightly;  it  injures  the  scalp  and  the 
bulbs  of  the  hair.  Never  use  a  hot  iron ;  it  dries  the  scalp,  splits  the 
hair,  and  generally  alters  its  functions. 

Rubbing  the  scalp  of  the  head  with  the  hand  draws  the  blood 
up  to  the  surface  of  the  head  and  not  only  relieves  headache,  but 
adds  new  strength  to  the  hair. 

The  hair  never  falls  out  unless  there  is  something  wrong  about 
the  scalp,  caused  by  the  general  health,  the  habits  of  the  individual?, 
or  the  way  the  scalp  is  treated. 

The  hair  of  woman  should  not  be  cut  after  the  age  of  five, 
except  to  clip  the  ends  once  a  month,  to  remove  the  forked  ends, 
which  prevent  the  growth  of  the  hair. 

To  stimulate  the  clogged  circulation  use  the  finger  tips  to 
massage  tlie  scalp,  rubbing  the  scalp  with  much  pressure  and  moving 
it  upon  the  bony  skull  underneath.  All  this  will  prevent  falling  of 
the  hair  and  will  promote  its  growth. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  17 

Barbers  and  ladies'  hairdressers  sometimes  use  carbonate  of 
potash  in  solution  in  cleansing  the  hair;  but,  on  account  of  its 
alkaline  nature,  it  is  especially  objectionable.  It  will  be  found  that  a 
teaspoonful  of  powdered  borax  in  a  quart  of  warm  water  is  far  better. 

A  large  majority  of  hair  restorers  contain  lead,  and  should 
never  be  used.  The  lead  may  be  detected  by  adding  a  solution  of 
iodide  of  potassium  to  the  "restorer,"  when  a  yellow  iodide  of  lead 
will  be  formed. 

Rosemary  is  considered  an  excellent  remedy  to  increase  the 
growth  of  the  hair.  Get  a  small  quantity  of  the  leaves  and  boil  them 
over  a  quick  fire  for  a  few  minutes,  strain,  add  a  little  cocoanut  oil 
and  a  few  drops  of  verbena. 

A  favorite  hair  dressing  is  made  of  three  ounces  of  olive  oil, 
three-quarters  of  a  drachm  of  oil  of  almonds,  two  drachms  of  palm 
oil,  half  an  ounce  of  white  wax,  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  lard,  and  three- 
quarters  of  a  drachm  of  essence  of  bergamot.  This  strengthens  the 
hair  and  prevents  baldness. 

Where  the  hair  falls  out,  a  simple  preparation  of  ordinary  tea, 
or  if  this  does  not  prove  efificacious,  of  sage  tea,  applied  to  the  roots 
of  the  hair  with  a  sponge,  will  usually  prove  an  effectual  cure,  and, 
moreover,  will  tend  to  prevent  the  accumulation  of  scaly  dandruff 
which  accompanies  this  trouble  of  the  scalp. 

Hair  Restorer. — One  ounce  of  tincture  of  cantharides,  one  ounce 
of  spirits  of  rosemary,  four  ounces  of  olive  oil.  Well  shake  every 
time  it  is  used,  and  rub  a  small  quantity  on  the  skin  of  the  head  every 
evening  before  going  to  bed,  and  in  the  morning,  after  the  head  hais 
been  well  washed  with  cold  water,  and  dried. 

Treatment  of  Loss  of  Hair. — The  scalp  needs  light  and  air  to 
be  kept  in  good  order ;  in  our  modem  civilization  the  hair  is  doomed 
to  gradual  destruction  as  it  has  lost  its  importance  as  a  protection 
for  the  body.  The  sweat  and  sebum  accumulate  and  afford  a  good 
culture  medium  for  germs;  the  physician  should  examine  for  pityria- 
sis once  in  a  while,  just  as  the  dentist  examines  the  teeth.  When 
pityriasis  is  installed,  sulphur  is  about  the  best  remedy. 

Brushing  and  Combing  the  Scalp. — A  prevalent  idea  is  that 
which  asserts  that  frequent  brushing  and  stimulation  of  the  scalp 
with  a  hard  brush  is  the  proper  treatment  of  the  hair.  Nothing  is 
more  contrary  to  scientific  experience  and  fact.  All  authorities  on 
the  treatment  of  the  skin  and  hair  agree  in  saying  that  the  hard  brush, 
as  too  commonly  used,  is  destructive  to  the  hair. 


18  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

The  proper  way  to  brush  the  hair  is  not  to  brush  it  lengthwise, 
but  to  hold  the  ends  of  the  hair,  if  it  be  long  enough,  and  simply 
comb  the  scalp  with  the  brush.  This  process  promotes  the  circula- 
tion of  the  blood  and  excites  the  oil  glands  to  action.  After  the  hair 
has  been  thoroughly  brushed  in  this  way  it  should  then  be  finished 
with  a  few  vigorous  strokes  lengthwise  of  the  hair. 

The  skin  is  irritated  by  hard  brushing;  the  hairs  are  broken 
and  bruised  by  such  treatment;  and  the  idea  that  scurf  is  removed 
by  this  practice  is  delusive,  for  scurf  forms  faster  than  before.  The 
hair  brush,  therefore,  should  be  soft.  To  work  away  at  the  head  with 
a  brush,  to  smooth  naturally  curly  hair,  or,  as  is  sometimes  intended, 
to  curl  smooth  hair,  or  to  remove  all  the  scurf  from  the  head,  is  very 
pernicious. 

The  combing  of  an  invalid's  hair  often  causes  great  discomfort 
to  all  concerned.  Begin  to  comb  at  the  ends  and  take  very  little  at 
once.  Twist  the  hair  several  times  around  a  finger  of  the  left  hand 
and  in  that  way  there  need  be  no  puUing  in  undoing  the  worst  tangles. 
When  the  hair  is  smooth  comb  it  out  towards  the  ears  and  braid 
loosely  in  two  braids,  tying  with  ribbon.  In  this  way  the  head  rests 
easily  on  the  pillow. 

A  simple  shampoo  is  made  by  dissolving  a  cake  of  pure  white 
soap  in  a  quart  of  boiling  water.  This  mixture  should  be  rubbed 
into  the  scalp  in  washing  the  hair.  For  a  dry  shampoo,  talcum 
powder  or  powdered  orris  root  will  be  found  satisfactory.  It  should 
be  allowed  to  remain  on  the  hair  for  a  short  time  and  then  thoroughly 
shaken  out.  The  brushing,  which  must  follow,  is  one  of  the  most 
beneficial  parts  of  the  shampoo. 

The  hair  should  be  shampooed  often  with  a  mixture  consisting 
of  egg,  a  tcaspoonful  or  more  of  tincture  of  green  soap,  and  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  cologne  to  a  cupful  of  water.  It  is  best  applied  to  the 
roots  of  the  hair  and  to  the  scalp  by  means  of  a  shampoo  brush.  An 
old  tooth  brush  will  answer  the  purpose,  but  the  regular  shampoo 
brush  which  has  longer  bristles  is  better.  The  hair  should  be  sham- 
pooed, if  there  is  much  dandruff  and  it  is  very  oily,  as  often  as  once  a 
week  or  ten  days.  The  soap  must  be  washed  out  carefully  after  the 
shampoo. 

Where  the  hair  is  dry  and  brittle,  with  a  tendency  to  fall  out, 
an  English  restorative  is  the  simple  one  of  a  free  application  of  pure 
cocoanut  oil,  with  daily  brushing.  This  treatment  continued  for  a 
few  weeks — six  perhaps — will,  it  is  said,  accomplish  the  best  results. 
Masseurs  use  the  cocoa  butter  in  their  treatment,  deeming  it  one  of 
the  most  strengthening  of  oils. 


HELPS.  HNITS  AND  RECEIPTS  19 

If  your  hair  is  very  oily,  the  addition  of  a  teaspoonful  of  aromatic 
ammonia  to  the  shampoo  already  spoken  of  may  be  of  benefit.  Too 
much  ammonia  or  borax  will  make  the  hair  harsh  and  dry,  and  you 
will  find  the  shampoo  of  green  soap  just  described  will  answer  the 
purpose. 

Dandruff. — There  are  two  principal  forms  of  this  disease.  One 
has  its  origin  in  the  oil-glands  of  the  skin;  the  other,  in  the  scarf-skin 
or  epidermis. 

In  the  first,  the  oil  which  exudes  upon  the  scalp  for  the  purpose 
of  keeping  the  skin  and  hair  soft,  is  thicker  than  it  should  be  and 
dries  in  thin  flakes.  Sometimes,  especially  in  the  case  of  infants,  it 
heaps  up  around  the  hair  in  thick  masses.  It  is  occasionally  confined 
to  the  edge  of  the  hair  and  to  the  top  of  the  head.  The  fatty  nature 
of  the  scales  can  be  seen  by  rubbing  them  between  the  thumb  and 
forefinger. 

In  the  more  common  form  of  dandruff,  the  scales  consist  of 

scarf-skin.  The  entire  epidermis  is  made  up  of  cells,  rounded  in  the 
lower  portion,  but  becoming  more  and  more  flattened  towards  the 
surface,  and  forming  as  a  whole,  a  homy,  transparent  covering  for 
the  protection  of  the  skin  beneath. 

These  fully  flattened  cells  are  constantly  being  detached  at  the 
surface — new  cells  being  as  constantly  formed  beneath  and  pushed 
upwards — and  are  rubbed  off  in  an  almost  impalpable  powder  in 
connection  with  washing  and  friction. 

The  disease  may  be  due  to  dyspepsia,  constipation,  scrofula,  and 
debilitating  diseases  in  general;  to  worry,  overwork,  and  nervous 
strain ;  or  to  irritation  of  the  scalp  by  fine-toothed  combs,  hair  tonics, 
hair  dyes,  etc. 

There  is  reason  to  believe,  also,  that  it  may  be  commtmicated 
by  contagion,  thus  making  it  important  that  no  one  should  use 
another's  hair-brush.  When  the  disease  exists  in  a  marked  form  it 
is  best  to  take  medical  advice.    It  can  be  easily  cured. 

To  prevent  it,  avoid  whatever  would  irritate  the  scalp — all  patent 
applications  and  the  use  of  a  fine-toothed  comb.  In  the  morning  get 
the  scalp  into  a  glow  with  a  stiff  brush,  and  the  rest  of  the  day  use  a 
soft  brush  for  the  hair.  Do  not  wash  the  head  daily,  unless  the  hair 
can  be  thoroughly  dried.  Once  in  two  or  three  weeks  shampoo  the 
head  with  soap,  or  borax  and  water,  carefully  washing  out  the  soap 
(or  borax)  and  drying  the  hair.  But  the  best  preventive  is  vigorous 
health. 


20  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  solution  of  listerine,  one-half  ounce  to  the  ounce  of  water,  will 
dear  the  hair  of  dandruff  and  prevent  its  falling  out  from  that  cause. 

A  curling  fluid  which  is  easily  prepared  may  be  made  of  quince 
seeds  and  hot  water.  Pour  a  pint  of  hot  water  over  about  three 
teaspoonfuls  of  seeds  and  allow  it  to  stand  for  several  hours.  Later 
it  may  be  thinned  by  water  or  cologne.  About  two  tablespoonfuls 
of  cologne  will  suffice.    Moisten  the  hair  wath  this  fluid  before  curling. 

Jaborandi  Tonic. — Quinine  sulphate,  twenty  grains;  tincture  of 
cantharides,  two  fluid  ounces;  fluid  extract  of  jaborandi,  two  f^  id 
drachms;  alcohol,  two  fluid  ounces;  glycerine,  two  ounces;  bay  rum 
six  fluid  ounces;  rose  water,  sixteen  fluid  ounces.  The  quinine  should 
be  dissolved  in  the  alcoholic  liquids  by  warming  slightly,  then  the 
other  ingredients  added,  and  the  whole  filtered.  Rub  into  the  roots 
of  the  hair  every  night. 

To  Crimp  the  Hair. — Damp  it  well  and  brush  it  out,  then  take 
a  small  lock  of  it,  and  plait  it  tightly  in,  out  and  over  both  sides  of  a 
hairpin;  when  y  "  ^ave  plaited  all  the  lock  in,  turn  up  the  ends  of 
the  hairpin,  so  as  to  secure  the  hair  from  escaping.  The  pin  must 
be  held  upright  whilst  you  are  twisting  the  hair  in  and  out.  Another 
way  is  to  damp  the  hair,  divide  a  lock  into  three,  leaving  one  piece 
much  thinner  than  the  other  two.  Plait  it  up  simply,  hold  the  thin 
piece  in  one  hand,  and  with  the  other  run  the  remaining  two  up  to 
the  top.  But  this  latter  process  will  not  cause  the  hair  to  be  so 
regularly  crimped  as  the  former. 

Superfluous  hairs  had  best  be  left  alone.  One  only  sure  and 
effective  remedy  is  to  spread  equal  parts  of  gelbanum  and  pitch 
plaster  upon  a  piece  of  soft  leather,  apply  as  smoothly  as  possible  to 
the  hairs,  let  remain  about  four  minutes,  then  jerk  away  quickly 
with  the  hairs,  root  and  branch.  This  is  a  very  heroic  and  severe 
remedy,  but  is  the  only  one.  Shaving  increases  the  strength  of  the 
hair,  and  all  depilatories  are  to  be  avoided,  as  they  sometimes  dis- 
figure the  face. 

To  those  whose  eyebrows  are  thin  and  small,  it  may  be  well 

to  clip  them  with  the  scissors.  The  following  wash  is  good,  particu- 
larly if  the  hair  may  have  fallen:  Sulphate  of  quinine,  five  grains; 
alcohol,  one  ounce. 

Chinese  Eyelash  Stain. — Gum  arabic,  one  drachm ;  india  ink,  i 
drachm ;  rosewater,  four  ounces.  Powder  the  ink  and  gum  and  triturate 
small  quantities  of  the  powder  with  the  rosewater  until  you  get  a 
uniform  black  liquid  in  a  powder,  and  then  add  the  remainder. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  21 

If  you  wish  your  eyebrows  to  look  pretty,  be  sure  that  no  pow- 
der is  left  in  them. 

To  make  the  eyebrows  black,  you  may  touch  them  with  a  little 
black  of  mastic,  taking  care  not  to  let  it  stain  your  fingers  or  skin. 
The  lashes  may  also  be  slightly  cut,  to  give  them  a  better  length. 

Effective  Eyebrow  Pomade. — Boric  acid,  twenty  centigrams; 
led  vaseline,  twenty  grams.  Rub  this  pomade  into  the  brows  every 
other  day  and  you  will  attain  your  desire — silky,  luxuriant  eyebrows. 

If  you  must  color  your  hair,  do  so  with  this  preparation,  which 
is  perfectly  harmless  and  eflectual,  and  contains  nothing  of  a  poison- 
ous nature.  Black  dye  or  dressing:  white  wax,  4  ounces;  olive  oil, 
9  ounces.    Dissolve,  and  add  2  ounces  of  burnt  cork. 

Dandruff  of  the  brows  or  lashes  may  be  banished.  Every  night 
wash  the  brows  and  lashes  in  warm  soapy  water,  then  pat  them  dry 
with  a  soft  bit  of  cotton  cloth,  and  saturate  them  with  sweet  almond 
oil.  The  application  of  the  oil  to  the  lashes  must  be  made  carefully, 
else  you  will  run  the  risk  of  having  inflamed  eyes. 

A  Lash-Growing  Lotion. — Glycerin,  l\  ounces;  lavender  vinegar, 
2|  ounces;  fluid  extract  of  jaborandi,  two  drachms.  These  materials 
should  be  thrown  into  a  bowl  and  well  mingled.  When  ready  to 
apply  this  lotion,  wrap  a  wisp  of  cotton  around  the  pointed  end  of 
an  orangewood  stick,  saturate  it  with  the  fluid,  then  pass  it  gently 
along  the  eyelid  edges.  Do  not  allow  any  of  this  preparation  to  get 
into  the  eye  itself. 

Folks  will  dye  their  hair,  even  though  they  deceive  no  one  but 

themselves.  Perhaps  there  is  not  a  real  hair  dye  in  existence  that 
may  be  said  to  be  perfectly  harmless — most  of  them,  indeed,  being 
of  an  injurious  and  even  poisonous  character,  affecting  the  nerves 
and  inducing  paralysis  and  other  affections.  Furthermore,  the  hair 
dyes  generally  used  destroy  the  bulbs,  give  the  hair  a  coarse  appear- 
ance, damage  the  secretions,  and  are  certain  to  produce  premature 
baldness. 

Formula  for  Making  the  "Walnut  Hair  Dye." — The  simplest 
form  is  the  expressed  juice  of  the  bark  or  shell  of  green  walnuts.  To 
preserve  the  juice,  a  little  alcohol  is  commonly  added  to  it  with  a 
few  bruised  cloves,  and  the  whole  digested  together,  with  occasional 
agitation,  for  a  week  or  fortnight,  when  the  clear  portion  is  decanted 
and,  if  necessary,  filtered.  Sometimes  a  little  common  salt  is  added 
with  the  same  intention.  It  should  be  kept  in  a  cool  place.  The  most 
convenient  W'ay  of  application  is  by  means  of  a  sponge. 


22  HELPS,  FilNTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Black  Dye  or  Dressing  for  the  Hair. — Dissolve  one  part 
pyrogallic  acid  in  thirty  parts  eau  de  cologne ;  apply  with  a  toothbrush 
to  the  hair  which  has  been  carefully  cleaned  with  hot  water  and  soap, 
and  then  thoroughly  dried.  Give  a  second  application  when  the 
jBrst  has  dried.  Apply  to  the  dried  hair,  after  the  second  application, 
a  solution  consisting  of  one  part  lunar  caustic,  one  part  spirits  of  sal- 
ammoniac,  and  twelve  parts  distilled  water  with  a  second  tooth- 
brush, if  possible  in  the  sunshine.  Apply  the  pyro  solution  again 
after  the  second  solution  has  dried.  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  stain 
the  skin  with  this  dye. 

Good  smelling  salts:  One  gill  of  liquid  ammonia,  one  quarter 
of  a  drachm  each  of  English  oil  of  lavender  and  of  rosemary,  and 
eight  drops  each  of  oil  of  bergamot  and  cloves.  Mix  all  these  in- 
gredients together  in  a  bottle  and  shake  them  thoroughly.  Fill  the 
vinaigrette,  or  any  small  bottle  which  has  a  good  glass  stopper,  with 
small  pieces  of  sponge,  and  pour  in  as  much  of  this  liquid  preparation 
as  the  sponge  will  absorb,  and  cork  the  bottle  tightly. 


FACE  LOTIONS  AND  PASTES 

Fruit  acids  are  almost  magical  in  their  effects  upon  the  com- 
plexion if  taken  properly. 

One  of  the  simplest  washes  for  the  face,  and  which  will  often 
do  great  good,  is  weak  tea. 

A  person  broken  out  with  prickly  heat  will  find  great  relief  if 
the  parts  affected  are  dusted  over  several  times  a  day  with  rye  flour. 

So-called  liver  spots  can  be  cured  by  the  application  of  an  oint- 
ment of  salicylic  acid,  ten  per  cent. 

There  is  nothing  that  will  more  quickly  soothe  a  sunburnt 
skin  than  a  frequent  bath  of  milk,  and  if  the  skin  has  become  dry  or 
rough  with  wind,  washing  in  warm  milk  is  excellent. 

While  the  effect  of  the  constant  use  of  liquid  powder  is  often 
extremely  unpleasant,  it  may  be  used  at  intervals  without  fear  of 
injury  to  the  skin. 

Fresh  air,  the  use  of  the  flesh  brush,  copious  bathing,  and 
careful  diet — these,  after  all,  are  the  first  inducements  to  a  lovely 
complexion,  and  the  remedial  preparations  ought  only  to  come  in 
use  for  jaded  hours,  or  when  the  skin  needs  some  such  outward 
medicine. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  23 

When  the  skin  shows  signs  of  a  sallow,  thick  look,  or,  angry 
red  spots  not  coming  from  sunburn  but  from  some  internal  complaint, 
phosphate  of  soda,  one  teaspoonful  to  a  glass  of  very  hot  water, 
taken  before  breakfast,  will  cure  the  condition.  This  is  to  be  taken 
until  the  skin  clears. 

But  for  all  the  virtue  in  recipes  it  is  impossible  to  do  more  than 
generalize,  as  what  influences  one  complexion  well,  is  injurious  to 
another.  Glycerine  will  agree  with  some,  and  start  a  feverish  eruption 
with  others;  while  some  have  to  strain  vaseline  or  dilute  it  before 
using,  and  others  cannot  use  it  at  all. 

Cucumber  juice  or  melon  juice  squeezed  into  cream,  and  always 
prepared  in  an  earthen  dish  with  a  wooden  spoon  or  earthen  pestle, 
is  a  fatal  enemy  to  sunburn  and  all  its  wicked  works.  A  handful 
of  parsley  thrown  into  boiling  water  is  also  a  good  antidote  for  sun- 
bum,  and  some  famous  beauties  of  old  used  to  swear  by  the  good 
effects  of  a  raw  potato  cut  in  halves  and  rubbed  on  the  face  at  night. 

If  any  large  quantity  of  powder  or  cosmetic  has  been  used,  it  is 
always  advisable,  say  "professional"  ladies  who  are  careful,  to  rub 
it  ofiE  the  face  before  retiring,  by  means  of  a  fine  cold  cream  or  vase- 
line, wiping  the  face  afterward  gently  but  thoroughly  with  a  soft 
piece  of  old  linen. 

Any  cosmetic,  purifier,  or  beautifier  which  has  to  be  applied 
at  night  is  best  used  after  a  warm  bath,  and  an  excellent  preparation 
for  such  is  to  wring  a  flannel  out  in  very  hot  water  and  lightly  but 
thoroughly  wipe  the  face  with  it.  This  is  also  very  good  if  one  is 
inclined  to  flush  after  exercise  in  the  cold  air. 

One  of  the  best  pearl  white  liquids  is  made  by  combining  one 
and  a  half  ounces  of  bismuth  subcarbonate  with  enough  water  to 
make  six  ounces  in  all.  Rainwater  should  be  used  if  possible.  The 
bottle  must  always  be  shaken  well  before  appplying  the  powder. 
Be  careful  not  to  apply  it  too  generously  or  it  will  give  the  effect  of 
facial  enamel. 

There  is  the  rose  jar.  Every  woman  intends  to  fill  her  own  rose 
jar,  but  somehow  never  finds  a  recipe  until  the  season  is  over.  Re- 
member: that  rose  petals  gathered  in  the  early  morning,  before  the 
sun  has  absorbed  their  dew  and  with  it  half  their  sweetness,  are  more 
fragrant  than  those  gathered  in  the  heat  of  the  day. 

Gunpowder  stains  of  the  face  may  be  removed  by  painting 
with  biniodide  of  ammonium,  distilled  water,  equal  parts;  then  with 
dilute  hydrochloric  acid,  to  reach  the  tissues  more  deeply  affected. 


24  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  black  eye  can  be  much  improved  in  one  night  by  bathing  with 
hot  water  for  twenty  minutes  and  then  applying  pure  green  soap 
and  leave  on  over  night. 

An  excellent  application  for  "black  eye"  is  twenty  drops 
of  calendula  (juice  of  marigold)  to  a  teacupful  of  water,  applied  by 
means  of  a  pad  of  lint.  Calendula  is  a  splendid  substitute  for  arnica 
in  case  of  a  bruise,  where  the  skin  is  abraded,  as  in  such  a  case  the 
latter  will  often  produce  what  is  known  as  "arnica  poison." 

French  Rouge. — Oil  of  almonds,  one  dram;  carmine,  §  dram; 
French  chalk,  two  ounces.  Grind  the  carmine  very  fine  in  a  mortar, 
add  the  chalk  and  mix  thoroughly,  then  add  the  oil  a  little  at  a  time, 
and  work  all  together,  using  the  mortar  and  pestle,  and  add  five  drops 
oil  of  rose.  Let  stand  until  dry  and  then  sift  through  silk  bolting 
cloth. 

There  are  the  cosmetics  of  the  kitchen-garden  to  which  our 
grandmothers  pinned  their  faith  before  the  days  of  the  complexion 
specialist  and  the  dermatologist.  Sweet  cream  from  pure  milk, 
infinitely  more  soothing  than  any  of  the  bottle  compounds  so  widely 
advertised,  is  the  basis  for  most  of  these  emollients.  The  juice  of 
ripe  strawberries  dropped  into  thick  sweet  cream  is  a  gentle,  cooling 
remedy  for  sunburn. 

As  a  means  of  keeping  the  freshness  of  the  complexion, 

pastes  applied  to  the  face  in  the  form  of  a  mask,  and  worn  during  the 
night,  are  beneficial.  They  may  be  taken  off  in  the  moming  by 
washing  with  chervil  water.  The  finest  compound  of  this  kind  to 
apply  to  the  face,  and  which  will  give  a  delightful  appearance  to  the 
skin,  is:  barley  (ground),  three  ounces;  honey,  one  ounce;  white 
of  one  egg.    Mix  into  a  paste. 

A  simple  rule  for  cold  cream  is  as  follows: — One  drachm  of 
white  beeswax,  two  ounces  of  almond  oil,  one  ounce  of  spermaceti. 
Put  all  these  ingredients  into  a  small  cup,  set  it  in  boiling  water,  and 
stir  the  ingredients  till  they  are  melted  and  thoroughly  incorporated. 
Add,  if  wished,  about  a  drachm  of  camphor,  which  should  be  broken 
up  fine  before  it  is  added,  and  then  stirred  in  until  it  is  melted.  Pour 
the  cold  cream  into  little  jars,  in  which  it  is  to  be  kept,  and  let  it  get 
hard.  The  camphor  is  not  a  necessary  ingredient,  but  it  is  an  agree- 
able one,  and  is  supposed  to  add  to  the  healing  qualities  of  the  prepa- 
ration. This  is  very  much  better  than  the  ordinary  preparation 
of  this  kind  sold  in  the  shops,  which  is  generally  made  of  lard,  and 
seldom  or  never  of  the  pure  vegetable  oil,  like  the  oil  of  almonds  or 
sweet  olive  oil,  as  it  should  be. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  25 

When  the  mouth  is  sore  the  diet  should  be  changed  to  vegetable 
foods. 

Citron  ointment  is  one  of  the  old  reliable  lip  salves  kept  by  all 
chemists.     It  is  applied  to  the  sore  with  a  soft  linen  cloth. 

Unlovely  lips  come  from  an  unhealthy  stomach.  Bad  diges- 
tion will  often  assert  itself  in  broken  or  chapped  lips,  sores  in  the 
corners  of  the  mouth,  fever  blisters  and  a  coated  tongue. 

Pure  glycerine  should  not  be  used  on  chapped  hands  or  lips.  It 
extracts  moisture,  leaving  the  skin  dry  and  more  liable  to  crack. 
If  diluted  with  water,  this  fault  is  overcome. 

Chronic  sore  mouths  should  be  rubbed  with  sweet  oil  at  night; 
in  the  rrorning  wash  with  a  solution  of  alum  or  borax — a  teaspoonful 
in  a  tumbler  of  water.     Camphor  ice  is  both  healing  and  cleansing. 

For  a  lip  salve,  dissolve  a  lump  of  white  sugar  in  a  teaspoonful  of 
roscwater.  Let  it  stand  at  the  back  of  the  stove  to  simmer  slowly. 
Add  two  tablespoonfuls  of  nice  olive  oil  and  a  piece  of  spermaceti  the 
size  of  a  walnut.  Add  a  mere  drop  of  cochineal  coloring  matter  to 
turn  it  pink.  When  the  whole  is  melted  turn  it  into  a  little  round 
porcelain  box  kept  for  the  purpose.  It  should  be  small  enough  to 
hold  only  a  few  tablespoonfuls. 

A  Recipe  for  the  Removal  of  Pimples  or  Blotches. — Fifty 

grains  of  distilled  water  of  clierry  laurel,  seventy-five  grains  of  ex- 
tract of  lead,  seven  of  tincture  of  benzoin,  and  thirty  of  alcohol; 
shake  the  benzoin  and  alcohol  together,  and  then  the  whole  very 
thoroughly. 

For  outward  application  for  this  trouble,  the  following  will 
be  both  soothing  and  whitening  and  will,  with  continued  use,  elimi- 
nate the  red  blotches.  This  lotion  is  very  agreeable  after  the  exposure 
to  the  glare  of  the  water  w-hen  swimming  or  sailing. 

Take  of  bitter  almonds,  blanched,  four  ounces;  orange  flower  water, 
twelve  ounces;  curd  soap  (any  pure  toilet  soap),  one-half  ounce;  oil 
of  bergamot,  fifty  drops;  oil  of  almonds,  twenty  drops;  alcohol,  four 
ounces.  This  is  a  bland,  soothing  lotion,  very  softening  and  bleach- 
ing. The  soap  must  be  powdered  or  broken  up  and  dissolved  in  the 
orange  flower  water  by  heating  in  a  double  boiler.  Beat  the  almonds 
to  a  pulp  in  a  clean  mortar  and  gradually  work  in  the  soap  and 
orange  flower  water.  Strain  through  clean  muslin,  then  return  to 
the  mortar  and  slowly  stir  in  the  alcohol,  in  which  the  oils  have 
been  previously  dissolved. 


26  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Large,  fleshy  noses  are  reduced  by  wearing  occasionally  at  night 
a  contrivance  which  compresses  the  artery  that  supplies  the  nose. 

Excessive  wiping,  sniffing  and  blowing  of  the  nose  deforms  it 
in  time,  and  should  be  practiced  only  when  cleanliness  demands  it. 

A  nose  leaning  to  one  side,  caused  by  being  wiped  in  one 
direction,  may  be  cured  by  using  the  other  hand,  or  by  wearing 
occasionally  an  instrument  employed  by  surgeons  for  that  purpose. 

Red  noses  become  so  by  continual  exposure  to  heat  or  the 
sun,  indulgence  in  alcoholic  drinks,  and  by  the  debility  of  the  nasal 
blood  vessels.  The  latter  cause  may  be  removed  by  gentle  friction 
and  cold  bathing  of  the  feet. 

A  Shiny  Nose. — Add  a  little  alcohol  to  the  water  in  which  you 
wash  your  face.  Keep  on  hand  a  bottle  containing:  Boracic  acid, 
one  dram;  rosewater,  four  ounces;  mix.  Apply  the  lotion  as  often 
as  necessary. 

A  firm,  transparent  glycerine  jelly  for  cosmetic  purposes  is 
obtained  in  the  following  manner:  White  soap,  four  ounces;  pure 
glycerine,  si.x  ounces;  bleached  almond  oil,  in  summer  three  pounds, 
in  winter,  four  pounds;  oil  of  thyme,  one  drachm;  of  bergamot,  two 
drachms;  of  roses,  one-half  drachm.  Soap  and  glycerine  are  mixed 
in  a  mortar,  and  the  oils  are  gradually  added,  according  as  they  are 
incorporated  with  the  mass. 

The  black  points,  fleshworms,  or  comedones  which  are 
found  in  the  face,  and  especially  near  the  nostrils,  are  not  at  all  the 
product  of  the  accumulation  of  particles  of  dust,  as  has  been  believed 
by  some,  but  are  composed  of  a  pigmentary  matter  soluble  in  acids. 
These  comedones  not  only  appear  on  persons  exposed  to  dust  and 
of  careless  habits,  but  also  on  chlorotic  young  girls  who  live  in  good 
circumstances  and  are  careful  of  their  persons.  Observation  has 
also  shown  that  the  discoloration  not  only  exists  on  the  surface  of 
old  comedones,  but  also  penetrates  to  the  lower  portions  of  the 
secretion. 

Reasoning  from  these  grounds.  Dr.  Unna  has  used  acids  in 

cases  of  this  kind,  the  following  being  one  of  his  prescriptions:  China 
clay,  four  parts;  glycerine,  three  parts;  acetic  acid,  two  parts;  perfume 
sufficient.  The  parts  affected  should  be  covered  with  this  ointment 
in  the  evening,  and,  if  necessary,  during  the  day.  After  several  days, 
all  the  comedones  can  be  easily  expressed,  most  of  them  coming  out 
on  washing  the  parts  with  pumice  stone  soap. 


J 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  27 

A  still  more  efficacious  paste  for  curing  blotches  and  inducing 

free  action  of  tlie  skin  is  Bazin's  Axerasine,  rarely  to  be  purchased 
pure,  but  of  which  this  is  the  authentic  recipe: 

Take  four  ounces  of  green  soap  of  commerce,  two  ounces  of  sper- 
maceti, and  melt  them  over  a  water-bath  in  six  ounces  of  oil  of  sweet 
almonds;  then  add  two  ounces  of  soap  powder,  and  when  the  mix- 
ture is  complete,  put  it  into  a  marble  mortar,  and  rub  in,  little  by 
Httlc,  four  ounces  of  pulverized  bitter  almonds,  and  tlien  half  a 
drachm  of  essence  of  rose,  and  one  drachm  of  vermilion,  thinning  the 
latter  first  in  a  mortar  with  a  few  drops  of  essence  of  bcrgamot. 
This  paste  has  been  extensively  used  in  France  and  Italy,  and  is  said 
to  be  not  only  a  good  cosmetic,  but  a  preventive  of  roughness  after 
fever,  small-pox,  etc.,  and  of  chilblains. 

Cucumber  Milk. — Oil  of  sweet  almonds,  four  ounces;  fresh 
cucumber  juice,  eleven  ounces;  alcohol,  three  otmces;  white  castile 
soap  (powdered),  one-fourth  ounce;  tincture  of  benzoin,  two-thirds 
dram.  Select  ripe  cucumbers,  cut  fine  witliout  paring  and  boil  slowly 
in  a  very  little  water  until  soft.  Strain  through  a  fine  sieve,  then 
through  cheesecloth.  Place  this  and  the  soap  in  a  large  bottle  and 
shake  frequently  until  soap  is  dissolved.  Add  the  oil  to  the  alcohol 
in  a  small  bottle  and  shake  well.  Pour  them  into  an  agate  kettle, 
add  the  benzoin,  and  stir  unfil  you  have  a  creamy  liquid.  The 
cucumber  juice  should  be  strong.  Place  in  small  bottles  and  cork 
tightly. 

To  Remove  Freckles. — Make  a  lotion  of  a  dram  of  ammonia 
chloride  to  four  ounces  of  distilled  water.  Apply  it  at  night,  after 
the  face  has  been  bathed  in  hot  water.  It  is  said  that  reddish  brown 
veiling  is  the  best  to  keep  off  freckles. 

For  freckles,  grate  horseradish  fine.  Let  stand  a  few  hours  in 
buttermilk,  then  strain  and  use  the  wash  night  and  morning.  Most 
of  the  advertised  remedies  for  freckles  are  poisonous,  and  cannot  be 
used  with  safety.  Freckles  consist  of  deposits  of  carbonaceous  or 
fatty  matter  beneath  the  skin. 

For  the  freckle  treatment  use,  when  retiring,  a  good,  pure  soap 
and  warm  water.  Rinse  the  face  thoroughly,  as  soap  has  a  drying 
tendency.  A  few  drops  of  some  good  cologne  can  be  added  to  the 
rinsing  water,  but  be  sure  that  the  final  water  is  quite  cold.  Dry  on 
a  soft  towel,  then  use  the  following  lotion:  Lactic  acid,  four  ounces; 
glycerine,  two  ounces;  rosewater,  one  ounce.  Moisten  a  small  piece 
of  absorbent  cotton  and  daub  onto  the  brown  spots.  Be  careful 
about  the  eyes;  this  is  a  poison  and  must  not  get  into  the  sensitive 
eyes.  Let  the  lotion  dry  on;  rinse  off  in  the  morning  with  warm 
water  to  which  a  few  drops  of  tincture  of  benzoin  has  been  added. 


28  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  the  freckles  are  very  persistent,  here  is  another  lotion  which 
is  stronger  and  may  be  more  suitable  for  some  skins:  Citric  acid, 
three  drams;  hot  water,  eleven  ounces;  borax,  two  drams,  red  rose 
petals,  one  ounce;  glycerine,  one  ounce.  This  to  be  used  in  the  same 
way.  As  soon  as  the  skin  begins  to  feel  rough,  reduce  the  use  of  the 
lotion,  and  when  the  skin  begins  to  peel,  and  the  spots  disappear, 
stop  using  the  lotion,'^'and  use  instead  some  pure  soothing  cream 
which  will  whiten  and  soften  at  the  same  time. 

For  oily  skin  no  astringent  brings  more  satisfactory  results  than 
camphor  water.  It  has  a  delightful  healing  effect,  but  should  not 
be  applied  too  often,  as  it  has  drying  properties  likely  to  prove 
disastrous  to  an  extremely  delicate  skin.  Apply  the  camphor  water 
with  a  piece  of  absorbent  cotton  and  just  before  it  dries  wipe  it  away 
gently  with  a  soft  cloth. 

A  saturated  solution  of  picric  acid  is  very  serviceable  in  acute 
eczema,  but  of  no  use  in  chronic  types. 

Treatment  of  Eczema. — Take  oil  of  pine-tar  one  ounce,  vaseline 
one  drachm. 

Acute  Eczema. — Oxide  of  zinc,  five  parts;  subnitrate  of  bismuth, 
seven  parts;  rice  powder,  thirty  parts;  powdered  lycopodium,  thirty 
parts.     Dust  over  the  affected  parts  morning  and  evening. 

Success  in  the  treatment  of  ezcema  can  only  be  achieved  by 
a  patient  and  persistent  trial  of  the  remedy  that  is  decided  on,  the 
local  effects  being  carefully  watched  and  the  application  varied 
accordingly,  while  the  fact  must  ever  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  is  the 
whole  patient  that  is  being  treated,  and  not  his  skin  alone. 

Heat  in  Treatment  of  Chronic  Eczema. — A  German  physician, 
Dr.Toth,  has  the  patient  hold  the  part  affected  in  the  heat  from  an  oven 
or  other  source  at  a  temperature  of  100°  or  115°  C.  (212°  or  239°  F.), 
passing  the  part  gently  back  and  forth  five  or  six  times  until  the 
prickling  from  the  heat  has  stopped,  doing  this  two  or  three  times 
and  repeating  it  three  times  a  day  at  first.  Tlie  part  should  be  held 
closer  to  the  source  of  the  heat  each  time,  and  the  patients  do  this 
instinctively  v.'hen  they  feel  the  relief  from  itching  and  the  benefit 
generally  from  the  process.  After  the  dry  exposure  a  folded  towel 
is  dipped  in  boiling  water  and  laid  gently  on  the  part  and  moved  to 
and  fro,  applying  this  with  more  force  each  time.  The  cleanliness, 
simplicity  and  self-regulating  features  of  the  method,  and  its  prompt 
relief  of  the  distressing  symptoms  are  the  special  advantages  of  this 
combination  of  heat  and  boiling  water.  The  only  drawback  is  its 
tediousness. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  29 


WRINKLES  ON  THE  FACE 


The  seed  for  permament  wrinkles  is  sown  with  the  daily  face 
washing.  If  this  is  done  rightly,  not  only  will  wrinkles  be  prevented, 
but  a  fine  complexion  will  be  maintained. 

The  face  should  be  washed  in  hot  water,  and  during  the  pro- 
cess should  be  carefully  massaged  with  the  tips  of  the  fingers  of 
both  hands,  which  take  the  place  of  wash-cloths  or  sponges.  Feel 
out  with  the  fingers  the  spots  where  the  blackheads  form,  such  as  the 
creases  about  the  nose  and  the  folds  between  the  mouth  and  the 
cheeks,  the  little  dip  between  the  mouth  and  the  point  of  the  chin, 
the  place  between  the  nose  and  the  forehead;  rub  with  a  firm,  yet 
gentle  pressure,  which  stimulates  the  blood  and  brings  it  to  the 
surface  and  makes  the  oil  glands  do  their  work.  Dash  the  water  on 
the  face  between  the  times  of  this  face  massage. 

No  soap  is  necessary,  nor  yet  skin-foods,  so-called,  if  you 
begin  this  process  early  enough.  Never  neglect  the  places  where  the 
wrinkles  will  come,  and  if  they  have  come  pay  them  special  attention 
after  this  manner.  Spreading  the  skin  of  the  forehead  out  on  the 
bony  framework  of  the  skull  underneath  with  a  firm,  deep  pressure, 
with  the  tips  of  the  forefingers  at  the  angles  of  the  eyes,  make  a  firm 
pressure  on  the  bones  beneath  and  work  the  flesh  round  and  round 
to  take  out  crow's-feet  wrinkles. 

To  obliterate  the  wrinkles  around  the  mouth  and  cheeks, 
work  the  whole  mass  of  flesh  upward  with  the  palms  of  the  hands, 
the  left-hand  palm  applied  to  the  left  cheek  and  the  right-hand  palm 
to  the  right  cheek. 

For  the  flabby  and  wrinkly  skin  of  the  neck,  massage  it  with 
the  back  of  the  hands,  one  on  each  side  of  the  neck,  lifting  up  the 
mass  of  flesh  and  pressing  it  against  the  jaw-bones  and  pushing  it 
backwards  towards  the  ear  with  a  firm  and  equal  pressure. 

Tonic  Lotion  for  the  Skin, — It  is  claimed  for  the  following 
compound  that  it  tones  the  cutaneous  circulation  and  prevents 
wrinkles:  Two  ounces  spirits  of  ammonia,  the  same  of  tincture  of 
camphor,  five  ounces  of  coarse  salt,  one  quart  of  boiling  water. 
After  these  are  well  agitated  and  cold,  add  six  ounces  of  alcohol. 
To  be  shaken  before  using.  This  is  called  a  "skin  tonic "  and  is  both 
refreshing  and  rejuvenating. 


30  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

The  v/hite  cf  an  egg,  beaten  with  five  grammes  of  alum  in  five 
grammes  of  sweet  oil,  applied  as  paste  to  the  face  on  retiring,  prevents 
wrinkles,  kx-eps  the  flesh  from  becoming  flabby,  and  is  strengthening 
and  softening  to  the  skin. 

Astringent  for  Wrinkles. — Powdered  olibanum,  32  grains;  pow- 
dered benzoin,  32  grains;  powdered  gum  arable,  32  grains;  powdered 
sweet  almonds,  48  grains;  ground  cloves,  16  grains;  ground  nutmeg, 
16  grains;  alcohol,  deodorized,  8  ounces.  Dissolve  the  first  three  in 
the  alcohol ;  then  add  the  spices  and  grovmd  almonds.  Let  all  stand 
forty-eight  hours;  shake  well  a  number  of  times.  Add  one  and  one- 
half  ounces  of  pure  rosewater,  then  filter  through  filtering  paper. 


CARE  OF  THE  HANDS 

To  soften  rough  hands,  use  a  little  ammonia  or  borax  in  the 
water  in  which  you  wash  them. 

After  doing  the  weekly  washing,  rub  a  little  vinegar  and  spirits 
of  camphor  over  your  hands;  this  is  also  good  if  your  hands  are  rough. 

Ladies  who  have  coarse  hands  should  rub  them  with  cold  cream 
at  night  and  wear  loose  gloves. 

Should  the  hands  become  hard  and  horny,  treat  them  with 
pumice-stone  and  lemon.  Lemon  is  always  good  for  the  hands;  it 
cleanses  them  as  well  as  soap  and  makes  them  soft. 

Ointment  to  Soften  the  Hands. — One  and  a  half  pound  of 
mutton  tallow,  one  ounce  of  camphor  gum,  one  ounce  of  glycerine, 
melted;  when  thoroughly  mixed  put  away  to  cool.    Rub  on  at  night. 

Another  excellent  preventive  is  to  wash  your  hands  and  dry 
them  perfectly,  then  rub  talcum  powder  thickly  over  them.  When 
going  out,  take  time  to  put  on  your  gloves  slowly  and  with  care  so 
as  not  to  get  heated. 

Petroleum  jelly  serves  to  clean  and  take  away  all  traces  of  dirt 
from  the  hands  after  work.  For  that  purpose  one  need  only  rub  the 
hands  with  a  small  amount  of  the  jelly,  which,  penetrating  into  the 
pores  of  the  skin,  incorporates  itself  with  the  greasy  matters  which 
are  there.  Wash  them  with  warm  water  and  soap,  and  the  hands 
quickly  become  cleansed  and  softened. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  31 

Oil  and  honey  will  iirevcnt  both  chapped  hands  and  chilblains. 

Chaps  on  the  hands  are  often  caused  by  neglecting  to  rinse  oflf 
the  soap  and  dry  them  thoroughly. 

To  keep  the  hands  in  nice  condition  it  will  be  found  necessary 
to  use  a  little  salad  oil  before  retiring  for  the  night. 

Sleep  in  gloves  that  are  loose  enough  to  be  comfortable,  and  ia 
the  morning  apply  a  little  lemon  juice,  then  wash  the  hands  in  a 
little  warm  water  and  dry  them  well. 

If  the  extremities  be  kept  warm  by  exercise,  and  care  be  taken 
of  the  entire  system,  the  skin  will  seldom  chap  or  be  afflicted  by  the 
discomfort  of  chilblains. 

Sweet  cream  is  a  quick  healer  applied  to  chapped  lips  and 
hands,  and  milk  makes  the  skin  soft  and  white,  being  especially 
beneficial  to  those  who  live  in  heated  rooms.  It  should  be  warmed 
and  used  as  a  wash  on  retiring. 

Camphor  Ice  for  Chapped  Hands. — Take  of  spermaceti  four 
ounces,  white  wax  (pure),  eight  ounces;  oil  of  sweet  almonds,  one 
pint.  Mix  together  by  a  gentle  heat,  add  of  camphor  (in  small 
pieces),  four  ounces;  when  dissolved  stir  until  partly  cold,  and  add 
essential  oil  of  bitter  almonds  and  expressed  oil  of  mace,  two  fluid 
drachms,  and  pour  into  moulds. 

Another. — Take  of  hard  clarified  mutton  suet  eight  ounces,  sper- 
maceti, wax,  of  each  half  an  ounce,  camphor  one  oiince.  Proceed 
as  before. 

The  American  hand  is  the  smaller  of  the  two,  and  by  far  the 
more  delicate  than  the  English.  But  American  finger-nails  are  not 
so  beautiful;  few  people  in  the  world  have  such  finger-nails  as  the 
English.  The  skin  at  the  base  is  always  pushed  back  so  as  to  show 
the  onyx,  or  little  white  half-moon. 

This  onyx  is  also  carefully  cultivated  and  polished,  we  may 
mention,  by  the  Creoles  of  New  Orleans,  to  show  that  they  have  no 
black  blood  in  their  veins. 

With  persons  who  employ  a  manicure  the  onyx  develops 
every  day  more  and  more ;  with  those  who  are  careless  of  this  delicate 
ending  of  a  beautiful  hand  the  onyx  is  sometimes  perfectly  hidden. 
It  is  always  observable  in  a  well-kept  English  hand. 


32  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Use  a  sharp  pair  of  nail  scissors  and  a  small  file  for  paring  the 
nails. 

If  the  nail  has  grown  into  the  flesh  at  the  side,  it  will,  if 
carefully  cut  at  the  top,  grow  out  of  its  own  accord. 

Weak,  brittle  nails  may  be  strengthened  by  dipping  them 
in  a  weak  solution  of  alum  water  and  afterwards  rubbing  them  with 
tlie  juice  of  a  lemon. 

Biting  the  nails  is  a  bad  habit.  To  correct  this,  dip  the  finger 
ends  into  a  decoction  of  aloes;  this  will  remedy  the  evil,  even  in 
grown  people. 

If  you  rub  vaseline  or  cocoa  butter  into  the  nails  about  the 
roots,  your  trouble  with  brittle  finger-nails  will  soon  cease.  This 
treatment  will  also  benefit  the  skin  that  attaches,  and  prevent 
"hangnails."     Cut  the  nails  frequently  in  oval  shape. 

Never  allow  children  to  bite  their  nails,  as  they  become 
ragged,  stunted,  and  have  a  peculiarly  commonplace  appearance. 
Nails  allowed  to  grow  too  long  look  nearly  as  bad,  as  they  are  apt 
to  break,  and  it  is  diflScult  to  keep  them  perfectly  clean. 

You  should  clean  the  nails  with  a  brush  if  necessary,  but  it  is 
better  to  rub  the  fingers  and  nails  with  the  half  of  a  lemon,  thrusting 
the  fingers  into  it  and  turning  until  the  nails  are  perfectly  clean. 
Lemon  will  likewise  prevent  the  skin  at  the  root  of  the  nails  from 
growing  upward. 

The  nails,  to  be  beautiful,  should  be  strong,  shining  and  filbert- 
shaped,  the  skin  beneath  appearing  through  their  transparent  tex- 
ture, of  a  pale,  red  color.  The  cuticle  which  grows  around  the  roots 
of  the  nail  should  be  rubbed  up  with  a  towel  every  time  the  hands 
are  washed,  so  as  to  show  the  pale,  semi-lunar  mark  at  the  base. 
They  should  never  be  torn  or  cut  improperly.  Never  cut  them  closely 
down;  it  irritates  and  inflames  the  tender  skin  which  adheres  firmly 
to  the  under  portion  of  the  nails. 

A  good  remedy  for  damp,  moist  hands,  is  four  ounces  of 

cologne  water  and  one-half  ounce  of  tincture  of  belladonra.     Rub 
the  hands  with  this  several  times  a  day. 

To  keep  the  hands  from  perspiring,  make  a  lotion  consisting 
of  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  powdered  alum  and  one  tcaspoonful  of 
spirits  of  ammonia  in  a  pint  of  boiling  water.  When  cool,  bottle  it, 
and  use  on  the  hands  freely. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  33 

A  little  borax  in  water  keeps  some  persons'  hands  from  per- 
spiring. 

The  hands  should  always  after  any  soiling  operation  be  thor- 
oughly and  perfectly  washed  and  dried. 

Tar  may  be  removed  from  the  hands  by  rubbing  with  the  out- 
side of  fresh  orange  or  lemon  peel  and  drying  immediately.  The 
volatile  oils  dissolve  the  tar  so  that  it  can  be  rubbed  off. 

Ripe  tomatoes  will  remove  almost  any  kind  of  stain  from  the 
hands,  and  they  can  also  be  used  to  great  advantage  on  white  cloth, 
removing  ink  spots  as  well  as  many  others. 

There  are  simple  means  by  which  the  hands  may  be  kept  in  a 
presentable  condition,  as  the  use  of  glycerine  after  washing  them, 
and  a  httle  bran  or  oatmeal  to  be  used  sometimes  instead  of  soap. 
Wearing  gloves  when  the  work  is  rough  or  dirty  is  quite  admissible. 

Cosmetic  Gloves  for  the  Hands. — Yolks  of  two  fresh  eggs; 
sweet  almond  oil,  two  teapsoonfuls;  rosewater,  one  ounce;  tincture  of 
benzoin,  thirty-six  grains.  Beat  the  yolks  with  the  oil,  and  add 
successively  the  rosewater  and  the  tincture.  Put  inside  the  gloves, 
which  you  keep  upon  your  hands  till  morning. 

A  salve  for  the  hands  is  made  with  two  ounces  of  the  oil  of 
almonds,  half  an  ounce  of  spermaceti,  and  half  an  ounce  of  white  wax. 
Melt  all  the  ingredients  together  in  a  bowl  set  in  a  kettle  of  boiling 
water.  Add  a  tablespoonful  of  rosewater  and  begin  beating.  Remove 
the  bowl  from  the  boiling  water  to  a  table  and  continue  beating 
until  the  mixture  is  cold.  If  it  should  be  too  hard  melt  it  again  and 
add  another  teaspoonful  of  rosewater.    Beat  again  until  cold. 


CARE  OF  THE  EYES 

Inflamed  eyes  are  often  relieved  by  cutting  a  large  potato  in 
two,  scooping  out  the  inside,  and  binding  over  the  feverish  lids. 

How  to  Stop  a  Stye. — The  eyelids  should  be  held  apart  by  the 
thumb  and  index  finger  of  the  left  hand,  or  a  lid-retractor,  if  such  be 
at  hand,  while  tincture  of  iodine  is  painted  over  the  inflamed 
papilla  with  a  fine  camel's-hair  pencil.  The  lids  should  not  be 
allowed  to  come  in  contact  until  the  part  touched  is  dry.  A  few 
such  applications  in  the  twenty-four  hours  are  sufficient. 


34  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Lack  of  sleep,  a  strain  on  the  eyes,  or  a  run-down  condition  will 
cause  circles  to  appear  beneath  the  eyes.  It  is  within  your  power 
to  remove  the  first  cause,  but  for  the  other  two  you  should  consult 
an  oculist  or  a  physician. 

The  usual  indication  of  strain  is  a  redness  of  the  rim  of  the 

eyelid,  betokening  a  congested  state  of  the  inner  surface,  accompanied 
with  some  pain.  Rest  is  not  the  proper  remedy  for  a  fatigued  eye, 
but  the  use  of  glasses  of  sufficient  power  to  render  unnecessary  so 
much  efifort  to  accommodate  the  eye  to  vision. 

Catarrhal  Conjunctivitis. — In  itself  it  is  a  simple  malady  and 
should  be  easily  cured,  but  if  left  to  go  on  and  become  chronic  it 
will  seriously  affect  the  eyes.  The  inflammation  of  such  a  membrane 
produces  a  discharge,  a  catarrhal  discharge,  and  it  is  most  important 
that  the  eyes  should  be  kept  clean. 

Every  time  the  discharge  accumulates  wipe  them  out  with 
little  bits  of  cloth  about  an  inch  square,  dipped  in  saturated  solution 
of  boric  acid  diluted  one-half  with  pure  water.  Any  such  trouble 
with  a  child's  eye  may  cause  a  very  great  deal  of  inflammation, 
extending  to  the  eyeball  itself.  Therefore,  have  the  best  advice 
about  it,  and  give  it  the  unremitting  care  which  it  demands. 

Generally  conjunctivitis  is  contagious,  and  one  should  never 
use  a  handkerchief,  towel  or  anything  of  the  kind  when  it  has  been 
in  the  hands  of  one  who  has  had  inflammation  of  the  eyes.  Old 
pieces  of  cloth  can  be  used,  and  then  burned  afterwards. 

To  Introduce  Eye-Drops  into  the  Eye. — Take  a  quill  pen  and 
round  off  the  point;  dip  it  into  the  bottle  containing  the  lotion,  of 
which  it  will  take  up  one  or  two  drops.  Then  draw  the  lower  lid 
down  and  touch  the  inner  red  surface  of  the  lid  with  the  tip  of  the 
quill ;  the  drops  will  at  once  flow  over  the  surface  of  the  lid,  which  must 
then  be  released.    A  camel 's-hair  brush  may  be  used  in  the  same  way. 

Tired  Eyes. — People  speak  about  their  eyes  being  fatigued,  mean- 
ing that  the  retina  is  fatigued;  but  such  is  not  the  case,  as  the  retina 
hardly  ever  gets  tired.  The  fatigue  is  in  the  inner  and  outer  muscles 
attached  to  the  eyeball,  and  the  muscle  of  accomrnodation  which 
surrounds  the  lens  of  the  eye.  When  a  near  object  is  to  be  looked 
at,  this  muscle  relaxes  and  allows  the  lens  to  thicken,  increasing  its 
refractive  power.  The  inner  and  outer  muscles  are  used  in  covering 
the  eye  on  the  object  to  be  looked  at,  the  inner  one  being  especially 
used  when  a  near  object  is  to  be  looked  at.  It  is  in  the  three  muscles 
mentioned  that  the  fatigue  is  felt,  and  relief  is  secured  temporarily 
by  closing  the  eyes  or  gazing  at  far-distant  objects. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  35 

If  there  be  very  much  discharge,  as  in  the  inflamed  eyes  of 
children,  it  is  much  better  to  lay  the  child  on  its  back  with  the  head 
level,  and  pour  plenty  of  the  lotion  into  the  inner  corner  of  the 
closed  lids;  then  open  both  the  upper  and  lower  lids,  and  the  lotion 
will  run  over  the  eye,  carrying  all  discharge  away  with  it,  and 
escaping  at  the  outer  angle  of  the  eye. 

Petit's  Eye  Salve. — White  precipitate,  three  ounces;  oxide  of 
zinc,  four  ounces;  benzoic  acid,  two  drachms;  sulph.  morphia,  forty- 
eight  grains;  oil  rosemary,  twenty  drops;  olive  oil,  two  pounds; 
spermaceti,  twelve  ounces;  white  wax,  four  ounces.  Melt  the  sper- 
maceti, white  wax  and  olive  oil  together;  rub  the  white  precipitate, 
the  oxide  of  zinc,  benzoic  acid  and  sulph.  morphia  with  a  portion  of 
the  warm  mixture ;  mix  together,  and  finally  add  the  oil  of  rosemary. 
Stir  till  cold. 

An  oculist  gives  the  following  excellent  advice  about  the  eyes: 
"Keep  a  shade  over  your  lamp  or  gas  burner.  Never  read  or  sew 
immediately  in  front  of  the  light  of  the  window  or  door;  it  is  best,  if 
possible,  always  to  let  the  light  fall  obliquely  over  the  left  shoulder. 
Never  sleep  so  that  on  first  awakening  the  light  from  the  window 
falls  upon  the  eyes.  Never  begin  to  sew,  read,  or  write,  until  a  few 
minutes  after  coming  from  darkness  into  light.  Do  not  use  your 
eyes  by  light  so  poor  that  it  requires  an  effort  to  tell  whether  it  is 
twilight  or  only  a  cloudy  or  foggy  day.  Finally,  the  moment  you 
feel  that  you  want  to  rub  your  eyes,  stop  using  them.  You  have 
done  enough  work  with  them  for  the  time  being." 


"  SOMETHING  IN  THE  EYE  " 

Everybody  has  experienced  the  pain  and  annoyance  of  "some- 
thing getting  into  the  eye."  In  the  majority  of  cases,  if  the  sufferer 
has  the  patience  to  close  the  eye  gently,  and  keep  it  immovably 
closed  for  from  five  minutes  to  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  the  offending 
particle  will  be  safely  and  painlessly  washed  away  by  the  tears  which 
the  eye  will  naturally  shed. 

Should  anything  get  into  the  eye,  one  drop  of  sweet  oil  should 
be  dropped  in  the  corner  of  it,  but  if  it  be  mortar  or  lime,  bathe  with 
a  weak  solution  of  water  and  vinegar. 

An  easy  method  of  removing  bits  of  foreign  bodies  from  the  eye 
is  to  place  a  grain  of  flaxseed  under  the  lower  lid,  and  close  the  lids. 
The  seed  becomes  surrounded  by  a  thick,  adherent  mucilage,  which 
entraps  the  foreign  body,  and  soon  carries  it  out  from  the  angle 
of  the  eye. 


36  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Another  good  plan  is  to  plunge  the  face  in  a  deep  basin  of  warm 
■water,  then  wink  the  lids  rapidly,  and  roll  the  eyeball  until  all 
the  particles  are  washed  out. 

A  small  camel's  hair  brush  dipped  in  water  can,  by  raising  the 
lids,  be  passed  over  the  eyeball,  and  the  foreign  particles  thus 
brushed  out. 

A  celebrated  oculist  recommends  that  where  dirt,  lime  or  any- 
thing gritty  gets  into  the  eye,  that  the  sufferer  lie  down  and  have 
pure  olive  oil  poured  in  upon  the  eyeball  and  socket  until  all  the 
particles  of  a  harmful  nature  are  removed.  This  remedy  is  quite 
painless,  and  never  fails  to  remove  all  foreign  substances. 

A  drummer  proposes  the  following  as  a  sure  way  of  removing 
cinders  from  the  eye  that  have  resisted  other  efforts:  Puff  cigar 
smoke  into  the  eyes.  This  irritates  them  very  much,  causing  an 
increased  flow  from  the  lachrymal  glands,  and  the  cinder  is  washed 
to  the  comer  of  the  eye,  when  it  may  be  readily  removed. 

Never  rub  the  eyeball  if  a  speck  of  dust  or  cinder  gets  into  it. 
Let  the  tears  gather  and  flow — they  will  usually  be  sufficient  to 
dislodge  the  dust  particles  and  wash  them  out.  If,  however,  they 
are  not  dislodged,  raise  first  the  upper  eyelid  and  bring  it  down  over 
and  upon  the  outside  of  the  lower  one ;  if  this  fail,  reverse  the  opera- 
tion by  lifting  the  lower  out  and  upon  the  upper  eyelid. 

The  most  pleasing  light  by  which  to  work  is  that  obtained  from 
a  northern  exposure. 

Damp,  foggy  weather,  the  reflection  of  bright  sunshine,  intense 
cold,  dusty  winds,  riding  on  cars  or  steamboat  in  motion,  looking 
steadily  at  a  glowing  fire,  wearing  glasses  when  not  needed,  wearing 
veils,  and  all  indulgences  that  weaken  the  nervous  system,  injure 
the  eyes. 

The  difficulty  in  successfully  dropping  medicine  into  in- 
flamed eyes  is  overcome  by  cutting  a  piece  of  clean  paper  in  the 
shape  of  a  little  spoon  and  giving  it  a  slight  curl  to  the  edge,  and 
using  this  to  put  the  drop  into  the  eye.  Being  of  soft  paper,  it  cannot 
harm  the  eye,  and  a  new  one  being  needed  every  time,  it  insures 
cleanliness. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  37 


EARACHE 


In  every  case  of  running  ears  or  earache,  look  for  adenoids  in  the 
naso-pharynx  and  remove  them. 

The  following  is  recommended  for  earache.  Take  of  chloral 
camphor,  five  parts;  glycerine,  thirty  parts;  almond  oil,  ten  parts. 
Dip  a  piece  of  wadding  into  the  mixture  and  place  it  in  the  ear. 

Remedy  for  Earache. — Olive  oil,  one  ounce;  chloroform,  one 
drachm.  Alix,  and  shake  well  together.  Pour  twenty-five  or  thirty 
drops  into  the  ear,  and  close  it  up  with  a  piece  of  raw  cotton  to  ex- 
clude the  air  and  retain  the  moisture. 

To  Clean  the  Ear. — Use  an  ear-spoon  of  bone,  ivory  or  celluloid, 
and  a  small  pointed  sponge  attached  to  a  long  stem  of  hard  wood  or 
celluloid.  Twisted  towel  points  leave  cotton  fibres  in  the  ear,  which, 
with  old  soap  leavings,  and  the  natural  ear  wax,  ultimately  are 
detrimental  to  hearing.  Once  or  twice  a  year,  especially  in  the  spring, 
the  ear  should  be  cleansed  with  warm  olive  oil,  and  then  rinsed  with 
clear  hot  water.    A  physician  had  better  perform  the  act. 

There  is  scarcely  any  ache  to  which  children  are  subject  so 
hard  to  bear  as  earache.  Almost  instantaneous  relief  may  be  obtained 
by  making  a  funnel  of  writing  paper,  saturating  a  small  piece 
of  cotton  batting  in  choloroform,  and  dropping  it  in  the  funnel. 
Put  the  small  end  of  the  funnel  into  the  ear,  and,  placing  the  mouth 
close  to  the  other  end,  blow  into  it.  The  fumes  of  the  choloroform 
will  quickly  relieve  the  pain,  and  if  the  head  is  kept  covered  the 
patient  will  soon  be  at  ease. 

A  Liniment  for  Earache. — Pavesi  recommends  a  liniment  com- 
posed of  camphorated  chloral,  two  and  a  half  parts;  pure  glycerine, 
sixteen  and  a  half  parts,  and  oil  of  sweet  almonds,  ten  parts.  This  is 
to  be  well  mixed,  and  preserved  in  a  well-stoppered  bottle.  A  pledget 
of  very  soft  cotton  is  to  be  soaked  in  the  liniment,  and  then  introduced 
as  far  as  possible  into  the  affected  ear,  two  applications  being  made 
daily.  Friction  may  also  be  made  each  day  with  the  preparation 
behind  the  ear.  It  is  said  that  the  pain  is  almost  immediately  re- 
lieved, and  even  in  many  cases  the  inflammation  is  subdued. 

A  button  or  other  object  that  has  been  forced  up  into  the  nostril 
of  a  child  is  often  removed  by  the  use  of  a  pinch  of  snuff  held  to  the 
nose. 


38  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


TO  DEVELOP  THE  ARMS  AND  LEGS 

Cocoa  butter  is  excellent  for  developing  purposes.  It  should 
be  rubbed  into  the  skin  with  a  circular  motion,  and  a  liberal  quantity 
should  be  applied  each  time. 

Directions  for  an  exercise  which  will  also  help  to  develop  the 
arms  and  legs:  Stand  with  the  feet  about  eighteen  inches  apart,  the 
arms  extended  in  front  of  the  body  and  well  cut  from  the  sides; 
the  right  foot  is  advanced,  and  the  weight  rests  mainly  on  the  right 
leg.  Clinch  the  hands  tightly,  as  though  grasping  a  rope,  and  sway 
to  the  left  side,  at  the  same  time  straightening  the  right  leg;  bend 
the  left  knee,  and  pull  the  hands  toward  the  waist,  as  though  pulling 
the  rope  in;  then  extend  the  arms  and  return  to  the  first  position. 
Repeat  the  exercise  with  the  position  of  the  legs  reversed.)  The  arms 
must  be  extended  well  out  from  the  sides,  bending  at  the  waist  line, 
so  as  to  increase  the  reach,  and  the  swaying  back  and  forth  must  be 
done  with  perfect  regularity. 


WOUNDS  AND  SORES 

For  binding  up  cuts  and  wounds,  use  linen,  not  cotton,  since 
the  fibres  of  cotton  are  flat  and  apt  to  irritate  a  sore,  while  those  of 
linen  are  perfectly  rounded. 

In  case  of  a  wound  where  there  is  considerable  bleeding,  use  cold 
water  applications  freely.  For  bruises,  the  immediate  application 
of  cold  water,  or  some  evaporating  lotion — such  as  camphor  or  weak 
tincture  of  arnica — is  the  best  treatment  for  alleviating  suffering 
and  hastening  the  absorption  of  blood. 

Accidents  from  Edge  Tools,  Hard  Bodies,  etc. — In  all  recent 
wounds,  the  first  consideration  is  to  remove  foreign  bodies,  such  as 
pieces  of  glass,  splinters  of  wood,  pieces  of  stone,  earth,  or  any  other 
substance  that  may  have  been  introduced  by  the  violence  of  the  act 
which  caused  the  wound. 

Fluid  extract  of  quebracho,  according  to  a  writer  in  Arch.  Med. 
Beiges,  applied  to  a  wound,  burn,  ulcer,  or  frost-bite,  is  more  healing 
even  than  iodoform.  On  evaporation  the  fluid  extract  leaves  a  tough 
adhesive  brownish  crust,  under  which  the  process  of  repair  goes  on 
rapidly.    If  desired,  this  can  be  removed  by  soaking  in  warm  water. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  39 

Where  there  is  much  loss  of  blood,  an  attempt  should  be  made 
to  stop  it  with  dry  lint,  and  compression  above  the  part  wounded, 
if  the  blood  be  of  a  florid  color;  and  below,  if  of  a  dark  color.  In 
proportion  to  the  importance  of  the  part  wounded,  will  be  the  degree 
of  the  discharge  of  blood,  and  the  subsequent  tendency  to  inflamma- 
tion and  its  consequences. 

A  new  method  of  dressing  wounds,  by  which  their  healing  is 
said  to  be  hastened  and  the  pain  made  to  disappear  at  once,  has 
been  brought  into  notice  by  a  French  surgeon.  The  method  consists 
in  the  application  of  compresses  wet  with  a  decoction  of  thirty  parts 
of  \-alerian  root  in  one  thousand  parts  of  water.  It  is  expressly 
stated  that  the  treatment  is  of  no  avail  in  deep  wounds. 

The  Dangers  of  a  Scratch. — It  is  a  good  plan  always  to  keep  a 
bottle  of  prepared  carbolic  acid  and  glycerine,  and  frequently  touch 
all  bruises  or  sore  spots  with  it.  This  is  one  of  the  most  convenient 
and  effective  germicides  imaginable.  It  is  said  by  excellent  medical 
authority  that  either  this  preparation,  or  listerine,  would  prevent  half 
of  the  contagious  diseases  that  afHict  the  country.  It  is  believed  that 
many  cases  of  fever  and  other  serious  ailments  can  be  contracted 
by  a  floating  germ  coming  in  contact  with  the  abraded  skin. 

To  Stop  Blood  in  Consequence  of  a  Wound. — If  an  important 
part  be  severely  wounded,  such  as  any  part  of  the  arms,  legs,  thighs, 
etc.,  attended  with  a  profuse  discharge  of  blood,  compression,  until 
a  surgeon  arrives,  should  be  made  by  the  bystander,  in  the  following 
manner,  by  means  of  a  bandage,  garter,  or  handkerchief,  viz. :  Tie 
it  loosely  round  the  limb,  and  introduce  a  piece  of  stick,  sufficiently 
strong  for  the  purpose,  about  a  foot  long,  and  twist  bandage  round, 
tight  enough  to  check  the  discharge. 

Liquid  Court  Plaster, — According  to  the  Druggists'  Circular,  if 
soluble  gun  cotton  is  dissolved  in  acetone  in  the  proportion  of  about 
one  dram  by  weight  of  the  former  to  thirty-five  or  forty  drams  by 
volume  of  the  latter,  and  one-half  dram  each  of  castor  oil  and 
glycerine  added,  a  colorless,  elastic  and  flexible  film  will  form  on 
the  skin  when  the  liquid  is  applied.  Unlike  ordinary  collorlion,  this 
preparation  does  not  readily  peel  off.  If  tinted  very  slightly  with 
alkanet  and  saffron  it  can  be  made  to  assume  the  color  of  the  skin, 
so  that  when  applied  it  is  almost  invisible.  The  following  is  given 
as  a  working  formula:  Pyroxylin,  one  ounce;  amyl  acetate,  five 
ounces;  acetone,  fifteen  ounces;  balsam  of  fir,  two  drams;  castor  oil, 
two  drams;  oil  of  cloves,  fifteen  minims.  Dissolve  the  pyroxylin  in 
the  amyl  acetate  and  the  acetone,  and  add  the  other  ingredients, 
avoiding  fire  or  light. 


40  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

For  bleeding  from  the  nose,  hold  a  sponge  saturated  with  cold 
water  to  nostrils  and  nape  of  the  neck.  In  case  this  docs  not  succeed 
the  bleeding  can  be  stopped  by  vigorous  action  of  the  jaws.  If  a  child, 
a  wad  of  paper  may  be  placed  in  the  mouth,  and  the  child  instructed 
to  chew  hard.  It  is  the  motion  of  the  jaws  that  stops  the  flow  of 
blood. 

Sleeping  Hours  for  Children. — Infant  under  six  months,  twenty 
hours;  under  one  year,  fifteen  hours;  from  two  to  three  years  old, 
fourteen  hours;  from  four  to  nine  years  old,  twelve  hours.  Children 
under  five  should  have  a  nap  during  the  day. 

It  indicates  lack  of  intelligence  in  parents  when  they  tease 
and  cause  anger  to  a  child,  tell  terrifying  stories,  subject  them  to 
conditions  causing  fear,  tickling;  or,  with  infants,  toss  or  shake 
violently  in  the  arms,  or  the  cradle,  permitting  sunlight  to  shine 
into  uncovered  eyes,  or  taking  babies  in  arms  to  amusement  places 
where  the  noises  and  crowd  disturb  the  child. 

A  child  will  first  attempt  to  sit  about  the  sixteenth  week,  be 
fairly  successful  about  the  fortieth  week,  and  firmly  seated  the 
eleventh  month.  About  the  thirty-eighth  week  he  should  attempt 
to  stand,  and  be  successful  at  the  twelfth  month.  At  the  fourteenth 
or  fifteenth  month  he  should  walk  without  support. 

Prevention  of  Fiat-Foot  in  Children. — Flat-foot  is  congenital 
in  4.3  per  cent,  and  acquired  in  95.7  per  cent.  In  works  on  prophy- 
laxis of  fiat-foot,  Muskat  emphasized  the  need  of  caring  for  the  feet,, 
and  exercising  the  toes  and  ankles,  the  influence  of  walking  and 
standing  properly,  placing  the  feet  parallel,  not  turning  the  toes  out 
or  in;  proper  shoes  and  stockings,  not  too  narrow  and  pointed.  The 
shoe  and  stocking  should  be  made  to  fit  each  foot  separately  to 
conform  to  the  natural  shape  of  the  foot. 

A  physician  should  be  consulted  at  once  when  any  trouble 
begins  in  the  foot.  Acquired  fiat-foot  is  of  traumatic  origin  in  about 
4.9  per  cent. ;  of  paralytic  in  3. 1  per  cent. ;  of  rachitic  in  3. 1  per  cent. ; 
and  due  to  improper  use  of  the  foot,  a  static  disturbance,  in  88.9 
per  cent.  In  the  traumatic,  paralytic  and  rachitic  cases,  proper 
measures  should  be  applied,  such  as  bandaging,  to  prevent  the  de- 
velopment of  fiat-foot. 

Prophylaxis  of  flat-foot  should  not  be  treated  by  wearing  insoles 
but  by  teaching  cliildren  to  use  their  feet  properly  in  walking,  in 
standing  and  in  sports  and  exercising. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  41 

When  Traveling  with  a  Baby. — Take  a  good  supply  of  squares 
of  clean,  white  old  sheeting.  Place  one  next  to  the  body  every  time 
the  napkin  is  changed;  then  throw  it  away. 

Bathe  a  healthy  baby,  after  the  first  week,  every  day.  The 
temperature  the  first  five  weeks  should  be  100  degrees.  During  the 
first  six  months,  97  degrees.  Between  six  months  and  one  year,  95 
degrees,  and  90  degrees  the  second  year. 

Bathe  the  child  only  five  minutes,  and  between  feedings.  In 
hot  weather,  sponge  the  child  at  night  with  tepid  water,  before  placing 
to  sleep.    Cleansing  and  curative  baths  should  be  given  at  bed-time. 

Remove  the  cause  where  children  have  nocturnal  enuresis. 
Don't  allow  the  child  to  drink  largely  in  the  early  evening;  the  small 
bladder  of  a  child  cannot  hold  the  urine  as  long  as  an  adult,  and  the 
bed-wetting  habit  continues.  Too  rich  food,  or  that  which  causes 
intestinal  indigestion,  may  cause  bed-wetting  by  making  the  urine 
irritant.  Gas  in  the  intestine  pressing  on  the  bladder  may  be  a 
cause,  or  the  urine  may  be  alkaline  or  hyper  acid.  Either  condition 
may  be  decided  by  urine  analysis.  If  the  latter,  meat  should  be 
forbidden,  and  milk  and  cereals  given;  if  alkaline,  a  physician  will 
give  treatment  to  render  it  acid.  Other  causes  besides  those  of  a 
dietary  nature,  are  nervous  irritabilities,  bladder  weakness  at  the 
neck,  adenoids,  worms,  constipation.  For  these  troubles  a  doctor's 
advice  and,  for  some  of  them,  home  remedies  are  beneficial.  If  the 
mentioned  causes  are  not  present,  tie  a  knot  under  the  child  so  it 
will  not  sleep  on  the  back ;  raise  the  foot  of  the  bed ;  awaken  at  least 
once  during  the  night,  to  relieve  the  bladder. 

Constipation,  worms,  or  fissure  of  anus  may  cause  involuntary 
urination. 

Preparation  of  Lime  Water. — Pour  two  quarts  of  clear  water 
over  a  piece  of  fresh  unslacked  lime  about  the  size  of  a  walnut,  and 
stir  until  slacked.  Let  stand  until  clear  and  then  decant  from  the 
sediment  and  bottle  the  clear  liquid. 

What  to  Feed  a  Two- Year-Old  Child. — 7  a.m.,  one  glass  of 
milk  and  a  small  slice  of  bread.  8  a.m.,  two  tablespoonfuls  of  orange 
juice;  10  a.m.,  two  tablespoonfuls  of  oatmeal  with  three  tablespoon- 
fuls of  t'nin  cream,  sprinkled  with  half  a  tablespoonful  of  milk;  half 
a  glass  of  milk;  12  M.,  half  a  cupful  of  beef  juice  vnth  a  small  slice  of 
bread ;  two  tablespoonfuls  of  stoned  prunes  which  have  been  mashed ; 
later  half  a  glass  of  milk;  4  p.m.,  one  glass  of  milk  and  one  slice 
of  bread;  7  P.M.,  one  glass  of  milk.  Certified  or  sterilized  milk  only 
to  be  used. 


42 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


Foods  Children  Under  Three  Years  Should  Not  Be  Given. 

— Dried  beef,  meat  stews,  dressings  from  roasts,  salmon,  salt  fish, 
sausage,  ham,  pork,  ducks  or  geese,  game,  liver  or  kidneys;  cabbage, 
raw  eelery,  cauliflower,  raw  tomatoes,  radish,  fresh  corn,  cucumbers, 
baked  beans  or  fried  potatoes.  Hot  biscuits,  breads,  doughnuts  or 
griddle  cakes;  any  kind  of  rich  sweet  cakes;  cheese;  rice  puddings, 
pies,  preserved  finaits,  candies  or  nuts;  coffee,  tea,  cider,  soda  water, 
bananas. 

Schedule  for  Infant  Feeding  (Dr.  Holt's). 


Period 

Nursings 

in 
24  Hours 

Interval 
by  Day 

Night  Nurs- 
ings 10  P.M. 
to  6  A.M. 

1st  and  2d  days    

4 
10 

8 
7 
6 

6      hours 

2  hours 
2}/2  hours 

3  hours 
3      hours 

1 

3  days  to  6  weeks 

2 

6  weeks  to  3  months 

3  to  5  months     

2 
1 

5  to  12  months 

The  time  in  which  a  baby's  stomach  becomes  empty  de- 
pends on  the  amount  given ;  in  an  infant  that  gets  only  half  an  ounce, 
the  stomach  will  be  empty  more  quickly  than  in  one  who  gets  five 
or  six.  If  the  baby  gets  only  one  or  two  ounces  from  the  mother, 
its  stomach  will  be  empty  in  an  hour  and  a  half,  and  it  will  tell  you  so. 

When  a  baby  is  fed  on  a  four-hour  interval  it  necessitates 
one  night  feeding  until  the  baby  is  several  months  old.  When  a 
three-hour  interval  feeding  is  used,  one  can  do  so  ■without  a  night 
feeding,  which  gives  the  mother  a  rest.  This  is  one  of  the  advan- 
tages of  a  three-hour-interval  feeding. 

A  fine  of  150  marks  (about  $36)  and  imprisonment  is  imposed 
upon  anybody  in  Germany  selling,  making,  or  even  importing  into 
the  country,  nursing  bottles  with  glass  or  rubber  tubes.  This  will 
indicate  the  enormous  mortality  of  children  due  to  the  use  of  this 
form  of  nursing  bottle. 

Clean  Nursery  Utensils. — Wash  the  nipple  each  time  after 
using.  Allow  it  to  remain  in  a  cup  of  water,  in  whicli  a  small  amount 
of  boric  acid  has  been  dissolved.  Wash  bottles  thoroughly  in 
cold  water,  to  remove  milk.  Wash  thoroughly  in  hot  water  and  scald 
with  boiling  water. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


Approximate  quantity  of  food  stuffs  consumed  by  a  child  up  to  the  first  nine 
months:  (1)  motiier's  milk  enough  to  fill  a  bottle  containing  240  litres;  Fig.  2  indi- 
cates the  quantity  of  fat,  Fig.  3  of  salt;  Fig.  4,  of  albumen,  and  Fig.  5,  of  milk 
sugar  contained  in  240  litres  of  milk,  by  comparison  with  the  size  of  the  child. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


Amount  of  food  consumed  by  a  three-year-old  child  (1)  during  12  months:  (2) 
200  quarts  of  milk;  (3)  egg  stuff  equal  in  height  to  54  centimetres,  and  40  centi- 
metres across;  (4)  meat  equal  to 2(5  centimetres  long;  (5)  butter  sufficient  to  make 
a  bulk  of  25  centimetres  long  and  20  centimetres  high;  (0)  bread  stuff  sufficient  to 
equal  a  bun  one  metre  long,  half  a  metre  wide  and  half  a  metre  high.  This  indi- 
cates the  protein,  carbonaceous,  etc.,  constituents  of  the  food  consumed. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  43 

Fresh  cows'  milk,  properly  modified,  is  the  only  food  for  the 
bottle  baby.  Nothing  else  will  take  its  place.  But  endeavor  to  get 
good  milk. 

Pasteurizing  means  heating  the  milk  to  150-175°  F.  This  kills 
most  of  the  bacteiia;  but  it  gives  a  false  sense  of  security,  since  the 
milk  will  soon  become  as  bad  as  ever  if  it  is  not  put  in  clean  contain- 
ers and  kept  cold  just  the  same  as  any  other  milk. 

When  milk  is  boiled,  it  is  brought  to  the  temperature  of  212°  F. 
This,  of  course,  changes  the  taste  of  the  milk,  and  destroys  still  more 
bacteria,  but  not  all  of  them. 

A  child  who  takes  nothing  but  boiled  milk  over  a  prolonged 
period  of  time  receives  no  fresh  food,  and  is  liable  to  get  scurvy. 
Therefore,  boiled  milk  should  not  be  used  for  any  length  of  time  if 
good,  clean  milk  can  be  had.  At  times,  however,  it  is  best  to  use 
boiled  milk  through  the  summer  months.  The  tendency  to  scurvy 
may  then  be  overcome  by  giving  the  baby  the  juice  of  half  an 
orange  once  or  twice  a  day,  according  to  his  age,  unless  he  has  a 
diarrhea. 

Cows'  milk,  when  given  to  infants,  or  to  the  sick,  should  be 
boiled  and  salted  and  mixed  with  limewater — say,  two  tablespoon- 
fuls  to  a  pint.  The  boiling  kills  the  bacteria  in  it,  and  the  limewater 
prevents  its  coagulating  into  a  solid  mass,  and  checks  the  tendency 
to  become  acid  in  the  bowels. 

Plain  whole  cows'  milk  mixed  with  water  and  sugar  answers  all 
the  requirements  of  a  good  food  until  seven  or  eight  months  of  age, 
when  barley  or  oatmeal  gruels  may  be  used  instead  of  water. 

The  sugar  is  added  solely  for  its  nutritional  value,  and  for  its 
laxative  action.  One  ounce  of  sugar  supplies  as  much  nourishment 
as  six  ounces  of  milk. 

It  is  often  hard  to  get  a  very  sick  child  to  take  all  the  milk 
that  it  needs.  It  naturally  grows  tired  of  the  milk  taste  and  it  helps 
matters  to  add  some  sort  of  flavoring.  A  dash  of  cocoa  or  tea  will 
sometimes  make  the  milk  more  palatable.  Again,  the  child  will  take 
it  readily  if  it  is  heated  and  seasoned  with  salt  and  pepper.  Occasion- 
ally it  may  be  flavored  with  vanilla,  but  this  ought  never  to  be  done 
without  the  permission  of  the  attending  physician. 


44  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Plain  milk  mixed  with  water  is  easier  to  digest  than  cream 
or  top  milks,  and  nourishes  the  baby  as  well.  Water  is  added  so 
that  the  food  will  not  be  too  concentrated  for  the  digestion,  to  give 
the  proper  amount  of  bulk,  and  to  furnish  the  required  quantity 
of  liquids  that  the  child  needs  in  twenty-four  hours. 


THE  SEVEN  AGES  OF  MILK 

1.  Neglect  Age. — Meaning  anything  and  everything  unsanitary; 
filthy  stables  and  as  filthy  cows;  dust,  flies,  unclean  cans  and  paUs 
and  unclean  milkers  perhaps,  using  unclean  milking  methods,  and 
careless  cooling  and  storing  of  the  milk. 

2.  Water  Age. — When  25  to  50  per  cent,  of  water  was  added  to 
the  milk  to  make  it  hold  out. 

3.  Skim  Age. — When  all  or  part  of  the  cream  was  skimmed  and 
kept  at  the  farm,  and  the  milk  sent  to  town. 

4.  Preservative  Age. — When  sahcylic  and  boracic  acids  were 
used,  and  then  formaldehyde  to  keep  the  milk  chemically  sweet. 

5.  Tuberculosis  Age. — When  milk  was  found  to  be,  through  the 
bovine  bacillus,  a  transmitter  of  the  white  plague. 

6.  Pasteurization  Age. — When  all  "uncertain"  milk  was  made 
safe  through  application  of  heat,  145  degrees  Fahrenheit  for  thirty 
minutes,  correctly,  honestly  and  thoroughly  done. 

7.  Golden  Age. — When  all  milk  shall  be  "certified"  in  the  full 
and  sanitary  sense  and  meaning  of  the  term  as  to  environment  and 
methods,  machine  clarification  to  take  place  immediately  after  the 
milking,  when  the  milk  is  fresh  from  the  cow  and  before  germ 
multiplication  has  commenced,  either  from  the  foreign  matter  or 
from  the  slimes  already  present  in  the  milk;  then  cooling  and  bottling 
at  the  farm,  pasteurization  after  bottling,  if  requested,  to  make 
assurance  doubly  sure. 

Clean  hands,  a  clean  cow,  a  clean  barn,  and  a  clean  milk  pail 
produce  clean  milk. 

The  use  of  hot  milk  is  recommended  as  a  restorative.  MUk, 
when  heated  above  10()°  Fahr.,  loses  its  sweetness  and  density,  but 
has  a  most  beneficial  influence  over  mind  and  body  when  exhausted 
by  labor  or  mental  strain.  Its  cff'ects  are  said  to  be  more  invigorating 
and  enduring  than  those  of  alcoholic  stimulants. 


HELPS.  HI   TS  AND  RECEIPTS  45 

When  you  find  that  nerves  have  too  strong  a  grip  to  permit 
of  sleep  at  bedtime  try  hot  milk,  which  is  a  cure  for  so  many  ills.  The 
milk  should  be  heated  hot,  but  not  boiled,  and  it  should  be  taken 
slowly. 

A  hearty  meal  will  often  cause  an  attack  of  indigestion,  whereas 
a  cup  of  hot  milk  with  flavoring  of  sugar,  nutmeg  or  a  pinch  of  salt, 
taken  with  a  few  crackers,  will  have  a  restful  effect  and  allay  the 
pangs  of  hunger. 

The  effect  of  milk  upon  the  human  system  depends  largely 
upon  personal  peculiarities.  Its  general  effect  is  a  constipating  one, 
brought  about  by  the  casein  contained  in  it,  which  is  not  easily 
digested,  and  also  by  the  production  of  a  large  amount  of  mucus, 
which  has  a  similar  effect. 

A  Home-Made  Sterilizer, — In  the  case  of  invalids  or  small 
children  it  is  often  advisable  to  steriUze  the  milk  or  water  given  them. 
In  the  bottom  of  a  tin  pail  place  a  false  bottom  or  a  small  tin 
cover  perforated  with  many  holes;  on  this  arrange  the  loosely-cov- 
ered cans  or  bottles  containing  the  liquid  to  be  sterilized.  Pour 
water  into  the  pail  untU  it  reaches  the  height  of  the  contents  of  the 
cans,  and  put  on  the  cover,  which  should  have  a  hole  fitted  with  a 
cork  through  which  the  thermometer  is  inserted  so  that  the  bulb 
reaches  the  water  below.  Place  over  the  heat  until  the  temperature 
reaches  155  degrees,  then  remove,  leaving  covered  for  half  an  hour. 
The  cans  should  then  be  set  in  a  cool  place. 

Dr.  Demuth  advocates  the  use  of  sour  milk  and  buttermilk 
as  cheap,  effective,  and  easily  assimilable  nutritive  agents.  Both 
are  easily  digested  on  account  of  the  finely-divided  condition  of  the 
casein  and  the  presence  of  acids.  He  also  says  that  buttermilk  is 
useful  in  all  cases  where  a  milk  cure  is  indicated,  and  is  particularly 
to  be  recommended  in  consumption. 

It  is  the  general  opinion  of  physicians  that  nursing-bottles 
with  glass  or  rubber  tube  are  very  likely  the  source  of  many  infant 
deaths.  The  tube  bottles  are  popular  with  many  people  because 
the  children  may  be  left  to  themselves  with  these.  They  are  placed 
in  bed  and  the  children  can  suck  at  liberty  wliile  the  mother  goes 
about  her  work,  whereas  the  bottle  without  a  tube  must  be,  as  a 
rule,  held  in  the  hand  by  the  nurse  during  the  time  of  feeding.  Bot- 
tles with  tubes  are  difficult  to  clean  and  to  keep  free  from  germs. 
If  they  are  left,  as  is  generally  the  rule,  to  the  children,  there  is 
danger,  on  the  one  hand,  of  a  lack  of  the  regularity  in  feeding,  so 
important  in  the  nutrition  of  children,  and  on  the  other,  danger  of 
overfeeding. 


46  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  fever  patients  can  be  induced  to  drink  sour  buttermilk  to 
the  exclusion  of  all  other  food  or  drink,  the  battle  is  practically 
won.  Buttermilk  is  nourishing,  it  keeps  the  bowels  and  kidneys  in 
order,  and  it  is  cooling.  When  possible  to  get  it,  prefer  the  butter- 
milk that  is  made  by  putting  the  tablets  made  for  the  purpose 
into  new  milk.  These  tablets  can  be  purchased  at  most  drug 
stores,  and  directions  for  using  come  with  them. 

Buttermilk  is  advocated  as  food  for  very  young  children,  in 
conjunction  with  rice  or  wheat  flour.  Besides  being  easier  of  diges- 
tion, it  is  cheaper  and  less  liable  to  adulteration  than  milk  from  the 
cow.  Dr.  Van  Maanen,  of  Barneveld,  says  that  buttermilk  is 
invariably  used  by  the  children  of  that  district,  and  with  the  best 
effects.  They  get  through  their  infantile  disorders  with  wonderful 
celerity.  Scrofula  is  unknown,  and  the  bills  of  mortality  are  reduced 
to  a  minimum,  all  owing,  according  to  the  doctor,  to  the  use  of 
buttermilk. 

Modified  Milk. — Sometimes  milk  disagrees  with  the  infant  be- 
cause there  is  too  much  acid  in  the  system.  Lime  water  may  be  added 
to  overcome  that  acidity.  Cows'  milk  contains  less  sugar  than 
human  milk. 

When  it  is  necessary  to  make  the  change  from  human  milk 
to  cows'  milk,  milk  sugar  must  be  added  in  order  to  give  cows'  milk 
the  required  food  value. 

Cows'  milk  is  richer  in  protein  than  human  milk,  consequently 
it  is  often  necessary  to  dilute  cows'  milk  in  order  that  it  shall  be  a 
suitable  food  for  the  infant. 

The  Keeping  of  Milk  and  Cream  in  Hot  Weather. — Cream 

already  skimmed  may  be  kept  twenty-four  hours  if  scalded,  while 
if  it  is  made  tolerably  sweet  it  may  last  in  a  cool  place  even  as  long  as 
two  days.  To  prevent  new  milk  from  becoming  sour,  scald  it  gently, 
without  letting  it  boil,  and  set  it  aside  in  the  pari  in  which  it  has 
been  heated. 

Typhoid  fever,  which  is  caused  by  the  typhoid  bacillus,  is  most 
frequently  spread  by  milk  which  has  become  contaminated  by 
rinsing  pails  and  cans  with  well  water  just  before  milking  and  by 
allowing  flies  to  swarm  about  the  milk. 

Fresh  air,  intelligent  care,  good  housing  conditions,  frequent 
bathing  and  cleanliness,  proper  clothing  for  summer  and  \vinter,  are 
powerful  adjuvants  in  all  that  pertains  to  normal  digestion  and  the 
upbuilding  processes  of  infants. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  47 

A  crying  infant  probably  has  the  stomach  ache,  earache,  or  is 
hungry. 

More  trouble  comes  from  over-feeding  than  from  under- 
feeding infants. 

Every  baby,  especially  every  abnormal  baby,  is  a  law  unto 
himself,  and  he  should  be  studied  as  an  individual.  No  one's  dictum 
or  rule  or  recent  discovery  is  as  important  as  a  knowledge  of  general 
principles  of  feeding  and  the  physiology  of  food  and  digestion. 

Prolonged  starvation  lowers  resistance  and  predisposes  to  dis- 
ease and  death.  Prolonged  and  excessive  use  of  laxative  drugs  does 
not  assist  in  the  digestion  or  assimilation  of  food. 

Scalded  or  boiled  milk  sometimes  agrees  when  raw  milk  causes 
indigestion  and  diarrhea. 

An  infant  may  be  difficult  to  feed  because  he  is  suffering  from 
an  inherited  disease,  an  anatomic  malformation,  a  constitutional 
vice  or  an  infectious  disease. 

A  narrow  fold  of  fine  flannel  worn  next  the  skin  along  the  line 
of  the  spine  will  be  found  a  very  simple  and  efficacious  preventive 
of  chills. 

Inside  the  baby's  silk-  or  silesia-lined  bonnet  there  should 
be  a  soft  lining  which  can  be  easily  removed.  It  can  be  made  of  an 
old  fine  linen  pocket  handkerchief,  with  a  very  thin  layer  of  cotton 
between.  This  will  protect  the  bonnet  from  perspiration,  and,  what 
is  not  of  less  consequence,  will  protect  the  child's  head  and  render 
him  less  liable  to  take  cold  if  exposed  to  a  draught  of  air. 

One  does  not  need  to  run  for  a  doctor  every  time  a  child  shows 
some  slight  derangement.  Usually  it  is  due  to  error  in  diet  or  to 
cold,  and  there  are  a  number  of  home  remedies  that  are  not  only 
entirely  harmless,  but  really  helpful,  that  may  be  applied  and  should 
be  applied  at  the  first  symptoms  of  derangement.  These  are  not 
in  the  nature  of  drugs  though. 

Water  and  fresh  air,  the  freest  things  on  earth,  are  also  the 
surest  healers,  properly  used,  and  a  healthy  child  needs  little  else, 
except  a  sensible  diet,  to  keep  him  happy,  healthy  and  good  natured. 

We  greatly  overdress  children.  They  ought  never  to  be  op- 
pressed with  what  they  wear,  and  it  should  always  protect  the  Hmbs. 
Generally  the  body  is  overdressed,  and  the  arms  and  legs  too  little 
dressed. 


48  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

It  is  downright  murder  to  dress  little  ones  with  nothing  on 
their  arms  and  legs  in  cold  weather,  and  it  is  ako  injurious  to  over- 
load and  keep  their  bodies  too  warm.  In  the  first  case,  children  are 
liable  to  congestions  of  the  internal  organs;  in  the  latter,  to  debility 
and  weakness  of  the  skin.  If,  however,  they  are  properly  clothed, 
and  their  bodies  exposed  to  the  air  and  sunshine,  the  skin  may 
always  be  kept  vigorous. 

The  bowels  must  be  kept  free,  not  by  physic,  but  by  the  right 
food,  and,  if  necessary,  an  occasional  injection.  Constipated  children 
will  always  suffer  more  from  teething  than  those  whose  bowels  are 
free. 

Certain  kinds  of  indigestion  are  cured  by  a  change  from  cow's 
milk  to  an  artificial  food,  but  it  seems  unwise  to  keep  a  child  long  on 
an  artificial  food  alone,  although  the  class  of  foods  that  are  added 
to  cow's  milk  are  often,  unquestionably,  of  value.  Most  of  these 
foods  have  a  low  fat  percentage,  and  the  child  will  be  benefited 
temporarily  by  a  change  to  such  an  artificial  food,  if  fat  was  causing 
a  disturbance. 

Many  of  these  foods  contain  large  amounts  of  starch,  and 

a  young  child  digests  starch  poorly.  After  six  months  the  addition 
of  the  extra  starch  to  his  food  may  be  of  advantage  ratlier  than  a 
disadvantage,  as  before  many  months  he  will  begin  to  take  starch 
with  more  solid  food.  Those  that  contain  maltose  and  dextrine  have 
the  advantages  described  under  the  use  of  dextrinized  and  malt 
foods  in  certain  kinds  of  indigestion. 

Some  of  these  foods  are  of  advantage,  when  used  in  small 
amounts,  when  the  child,  during  an  intestinal  inflammation,  has 
been  entirely  deprived  of  milk  for  from  twenty-four  to  forty-eight 
hours. 

Home  Accessories  in  Obstetric  Practice. — Here  is  a  list  of  a 
few  things  which  the  mother  should  have  on  hand  some  days  or 
weeks  previous  to  her  confinement:  Olive  oil,  one  pound;  gauze, 
five  yards;  lysol;  alcohol,  eight  ounces;  basins;  towels;  brandy; 
Castile  soap;  cotton  diapers;  boric  acid,  one  pound;  absorbent  cotton, 
one  pound;  binders  for  breast  and  abdomen;  safety  pins,  all  sizes; 
carbolized  vaseline,  one  pound;  powder,  talcum  or  rice;  rubber  sheet 
or  oil  cloth;  fountain  syringe,  and  binders  for  babe. 

A  French  doctor  states  that  in  inflamed  conditions  of  the 

vagina  and  in  leucorrhea  he  uses  one-half  ounce  of  tincture  of  iodine 
to  a  quart  of  hot  water  as  a  douche  every  other  day.  This  always 
relieves. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  49 


TEETHING  CONVULSIONS  OF  CHILDREN 

It  is  not  uncommon  for  children  during  the  teething  period  to 
have  convulsions,  but  they  rarely  occur  before  the  age  of  six  months, 
except  with  those  babies  who  have  been  so  unfortunate  as  to  receive 
some  injury  to  the  head  at  birth,  when  they  usually  occur  during 
the  first  or  second  month.  Children  under  two  years  of  age  are 
more  apt  to  have  them  than  those  who  are  older,  and  boys  are 
perhaps  more  liable  to  have  them  than  girls. 

A  temporary  lack  of  the  proper  supply  of  nourishment  in 

the  blood  that  circulates  through  the  brain ;  a  failure  to  get  rid  of  the 
waste  matters  of  the  body  by  means  of  the  bowels  and  bladder;  too 
much  excitement  of  any  sort;  very  frequently  improper  food  with 
resulting  indigestion,  and  an  accumulation  of  gas  in  the  stomach 
and  bowels — may  bring  on  a  convulsion. 

Convulsions  appearing  in  the  course  of  a  severe  illness, 

as  for  instance  during  scarlet  fever,  pneumonia,  whooping-cough,  or 
any  other  recognized  disease,  are  very  serious,  and  the  physician's 
attention  should  be  called  to  them  without  a  moment's  delay. 

A  slight  convulsion,  or  even  a  rather  sharp  one,  at  the  coming 
through  of  a  tooth,  if  unaccompanied  by  any  other  sj'^mptoms  of 
importance,  is  a  much  less  serious  aflfair,  and  need  cause  no  great 
amount  of  alarm. 

A  baby  with  such  a  tendency  should  be  kept  very  quiet,  its 
diet  should  be  guarded  with  the  utmost  care,  the  mother  should 
never  nurse  it  when  she  herself  is  in  a  highly  excited  state,  and  all 
the  conditions  that  surround  it  ought  to  be  the  most  healthful  pos- 
sible.   It  should  never  be  allowed  to  become  constipated. 

When  a  child  is  seized  with  a  convulsion,  place  it  at  once 
upon  the  floor,  on  something  large  and  soft,  so  that  it  may  not  hurt 
itself  by  jerking  against  anything  if  there  is  much  jerking.  If  it  is 
confined  to  bed,  see  that  it  is  properly  guarded  from  injury. 

If  there  is  constipation,  relieve  the  bowels  at  once  of  possible 
hard  masses  or  irritating  substances.  In  any  case  the  injection  will 
do  no  harm,  and  may  do  much  good.  Have  plenty  of  'Lvarm  water, 
so  as  to  give  a  warm  bath  if  the  doctor  orders  one.  If  the  pulse  is 
weak,  however,  the  face  very  pale,  the  nails  and  lips  blue,  and  the 
hands  and  feet  cold,  put  the  child  at  once  into  a  warm  bath  without 
waiting  for  the  doctor's  orders,  being  careful  not  to  have  the  water 
warmer  than  106  degrees  F.  as  shown  by  the  bath  thermometer,  or 
perfectly  comfortable  when  your  own  arm  is  plunged  in  up  to  the 
elbow. 


60  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Means  of  Emptying  the  Bladder. — Dr.  Edward  Anderson  says: 
"The  fact  that  the  bladder,  when  partially  paralyzed  from  partu- 
rition ,  or  any  other  cause,  can  always  be  made  to  empty  itself  perfectly 
by  throwing  a  large  amount  of  very  warm  water  into  the  bowel, 
thereby  doing  away  with  the  necessity  of  using  a  catheter— a  most 
important  consideration,  particularly  when  the  patient  lives  at  a 
distance  from  the  doctor.  After  difficult  and  protracted  labors  I 
have  been  obliged  to  use  the  catheter  every  day  for  weeks  at  a  time, 
which  was  annoying  to  the  patient  and  inconvenient  to  myself. 
Since  using  the  above  recommended  plan  I  have  had  no  trouble  in 
this  direction,  the  bowel  and  the  bladder  emptying  themselves  at 
the  same  time." 

At  certain  definite  years,  varying  with  climatic  conditions, 
changes  occur  which  indicate  the  beginning  of  maturity  in  the  life 
of  the  young  girl.  This  process  may  occur  anywhere  from  eight  to 
sixteen  years  of  age.  In  tropical  climates  it  takes  place  at  the  earlier, 
and  in  cold  climates  at  the  later  age.  The  average  age  for  temperate 
climates  is  from  fourteen  to  fifteen  years,  but  many  girls  reach 
maturity  at  the  earlier  periods  even  in  temperate  climates.  This  will 
happen  if  the  child's  life  is  spent  under  conditions  that  are  too 
stimulating.  This  is  undesirable,  and  parents  should  see  that  their 
children  live  healthfully.  To  this  end  abundant  out-of-doors,  sun- 
shine, exercise,  proper  bathing,  dressing,  regular  meals  of  wholesome 
food,  is  necessary,  while  late  hours,  excessive  excitement  of  music, 
dancing  and  the  reading  of  fiction  are  to  be  avoided.  All  these 
things  are  desirable  if  not  carried  to  excess. 

There  should  always  be  a  judicious  admixture  of  work  and 
play  in  the  child's  life,  while  brain  and  hands  should  be  taught  useful 
things.  Happy  the  child,  and  afterwards  fortunate  the  woman,  who 
is  taught  the  art  of  housekeeping  in  earlier  years. 

Before  the  time  for  maturity  arrives,  the  mother  should  have 
so  informed  herself  that  she  can  tell  her  daughter  of  the  nature  of 
her  physiologic  function,  when  and  how  often  it  should  appear,  and 
of  its  relation  to  the  beautiful  mechanism  of  life.  If  she  is  not 
capable — that  is,  if  she  has  not  been  instructed  herself — she  should 
ask  help  of  a  physician  of  her  own  sex. 

Both  daughters  and  sons  should  be  told  of  their  physiological 
functions,  that  they  may  do  nothing  to  prejudice  their  well-being. 
This  duty  does  not  end  with  the  mother,  but  belongs  to  the  father 
as  well. 

Safe  Drinking  Water. — In  round  figures,  sixty  per  cent,  or  more 
of  the  weight  of  the  human  body  consists  of  water.  That  is,  a  man 
weighing  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  may  know  that  rather  more 
than  ninety  pounds — or  nearly  twelve  gallons — of  him  are  water. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  51 

Persons  but  little  accustomed  to  drink  water  are  liable  to 
have  the  waste  products  formed  faster  than  they  are  removed. 

Safe  drinking  water  should  possess  only  moderate  hardness, 

and  boiling  removes  a  part  of  the  hardness  by  causing  some  of  the 
mineral  constituents  to  precipitate. 

Many  of  the  minute  substances  that  are  suspended,  not 

dissolved  in  the  water,  "settle"  at  the  bottom  of  the  vessel  after 
boiling.  These  minute  suspended  substances  cause  much  of  the 
dysentery  and  other  bowel  troubles  which,  according  to  vital  sta- 
tistics, arc  more  destructive  to  life,  comfort  and  prosperity  than  is 
typhoid. 

The  average  person  needs  about  two  quarts  of  water  in 

twenty-four  hours.  Of  course,  this  quantity  may  vary  with  the 
temperature  and  the  kind  of  work  one  is  doing.  In  very  hot  weather 
and  when  one  is  doing  hard  manual  labor  inducing  excessive  perspira- 
tion, the  amount  of  water  taken  should  be  increased. 

Physiologists  and  nutritionists  now  class  water  as  a  food, 

and  it  must  be  so  considered,  since  it  enters  into  the  chemical  com- 
position of  all  the  tissues  of  the  body.  It  is  well  known  that  life  lasts 
longer  in  the  absence  of  other  recognized  foods  than  it  will  when 
water  is  denied. 

People  accustomed  to  rise  in  the  morning  weak  and  languid 

will  find  the  cause  in  the  imperfect  secretion  of  wastes,  which  many 
times  may  be  remedied  by  drinking  a  full  tumbler  of  water  before 
retiring.  This  very  materially  assists  in  the  process  during  the  night, 
and  leaves  the  tissues  fresh  and  strong,  and  ready  for  active  work. 

With  an  unsafe  drinking  water  filtering  alone  is  never  sufficient, 
though  many  a  dealer  in  filters,  in  his  own  ignorance,  will  assure 
you  to  the  contrary.  Filtering  alone  will  remove  suspended  matter, 
but  it  will  not  lessen  the  hardness  of  the  water  nor  remove  the 
disease  germs. 

One  of  the  sure  signs  that  the  water  supply  is  foul  is  when  there 
is  much  typhoid  and  bowel  trouble  in  the  community.  The  best 
time  to  guard  against  the  consequences  of  unsafe  drinking  water, 
however,  is  before  illness  starts. 

To  test  suspected  water,  fill  a  clean  pint  bottle  nearly  full  of  the 
water  to  be  tested,  and  dissolve  in  it  half  a.',  teaspoonful  of  loaf  or 
granulated  sugar.  Cork  the  bottle  and  keep  in  a  warm  place  for  two 
days.  If  the  water  becomes  cloudy  or  milky  within  forty-eight  hours, 
it  is  unfit  for  domestic  use. 


52  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

There  is  an  easy  household  means  of  rendering  drinking  water 
free  from  disease  germs.  Boil  the  water.  If  the  boiling  is  continued 
for  twenty  minutes  no  germ  will  survive. 

After  boiling,  the  water  should  invariably  be  filtered,  in 

order  to  remove  all  the  precipitated  and  suspended  matter  which, 
often,  is  not  visible  to  the  eye.  A  six-inch  glass  filter  funnel  and 
package  of  a  hundred  filter  papers  to  fit,  will  cost  less  than  one  visit 
from  the  physician.  The  paper  should  be  changed  every  few  days, 
and  always  kept  protected  from  dust.  The  boiled  water  should  be 
filtered,  while  still  hot,  into  a  half-gallon  or  gallon  bottle  provided 
with  a  glass  stopper.  The  bottle  itself  can  be  sterilized  by  boiling 
in  water  for  twenty  minutes. 

The  coldness  of  water  is  no  proof  of  its  purity,  though  by 
many  taken  to  be  so.  It  is  no  assurance  that  impurities  are  not 
oozing  into  your  well  from  a  dozen  different  sources.  Therefore, 
look  to  your  well,  e^en  though  its  water  be  cold. 

Here  Are  Some  Wells  to  be  Avoided. — The  one  which  is  a  per- 
fectly good  well  in  itself.  But  a  cesspool  has  been  built  deep  enough 
to  penetrate  beyond  this  protecting  layer,  and  the  natural  drainage 
is  into  the  bottom  of  the  well.  A  well  that  is  still  worse,  has  cracks 
and  faults  in  its  sides,  from  age,  and  is  situated  back  of  a  barn.  A 
manure  pile  graces  one  side  and  a  vault  is  located  at  another,  while 
a  pig  pen  is  established  ]ust  behind  it. 

The  Really  Perfect  Well. — It  has  a  deep  pipe-well,  driven 
through  one  stratum  of  yellow  loam  and  two  of  blue  clay.  The 
water  entering  the  well  is  thoroughly  protected  from  surface  seepings, 
and  with  the  three  strata  at  such  depths,  it  is  "fool  proof." 

When  iron  occurs  in  water  in  such  quantities  as  to  color  the 
water  it  is  almost  always  due  to  rust  in  storage  tanks.  In  this  case 
iron  is  suspended,  not  dissolved  in  the  water,  and  will  be  removed  by 
boiling  and  filtering — a  useful  hint  to  the  disgusted  housekeeper 
when  laundry  work  is  ruined  by  "rusty"  water. 

Abundant  mineral  matter  is  an  aid  to  digestion.  Magnesium 
builds  nerves,  calcium  builds  bones,  potassium  builds  cells,  sulphur 
builds  tissues,  and  sodium  aids  the  digestion  of  foods. 

Hot  water  will  relieve  thirst  better  than  cold  water,  and  for 
that  purpose  is  not  to  be  condemned.  But  hot  water  is  an  excitant, 
and  in  cases  in  which  irritation  of  the  stomach  exists,  should  be 
avoided. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  53 

Hot  Water  for  Medicinal  Purposes. — Hot  water  has  far  more 
medical  virtues  than  many  behe^•e.  Because  it  is  so  easily  pro- 
cured, many  think  it  valueless. 

Cure  of  Hysteria. —  Nothinc:  recovers  a  person  sooner  out  <>£ 
the  hysteric  fit,  than  putting  the  feet  and  legs  in  warm  water. 

Headache  yields  to  frequent  application  of  hot  water  to 

the  feet  and  back  of  neck. 

A  towel  wrung  out  of  hot  water  and  held  to  the  face  will 
generally  give  relief  in  neuralgia  and  toothache. 

A  napkin  wrung  out  and  put  round  the  neck  of  a  child  suffering 
from  croup,  will  sometimes  bring  relief  in  ten  minutes. 

A  tumblerful  of  hot  water  taken  in  the  morning,  half  an 
hour  before  breakfast,  will  help  cases  of  stomach  trouble.  Very  hot 
water  will  stop  dangerous  bleeding. 

Hot  water  is  the  best  thing  that  can  be  used  to  heal  a  sprain 
or  bruise.  The  wounded  part  should  be  placed  in  water  as  hot 
as  can  be  borne  for  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  and  in  all  ordinary 
cases  the  pain  will  gradually  cease. 

Hot  water  applied  by  means  of  cloths  is  a  sovereign  remedy 
for  neuralgia  and  pleurisy  pains. 

Woman's  Best  Friend  is  Hot  Water. — If  she  drinks  hot  water 
an  hour  before  her  breakfast  she  will  be  able  to  ward  off  dyspepsia. 

If  she  drinks  hot  water  flavored  with  lemon  and  sweetened 
with  sugar  when  she  has  been  out  in  the  cold  she  will  ward  off  chills. 
The  same  agreeable  medicine  taken  early  enough  in  the  progress 
of  a  cold  will  stop  it. 

When  a  nervous  headache  makes  the  forehead  throb  and  the 
back  of  the  head  ache,  hot  water  will  relieve  the  pain. 

For  tired  eyes,  inflamed  eyelids  and  styes,  nothing  is  so  good  as 
hot  water.  The  eyes  should  be  sopped  with  a  cloth  dipped  in 
boiling  water. 

Sprains  may  be  relieved  greatly  by  soaking  the  afflicted  member 
in  hot  water  for  half  an  hour  at  a  time  and  then  binding  it  with  a 
flannel  bandage.  Bruises  yield  to  much  the  same  treatment, 
although  such  long  soaking  is  unnecessary. 


54  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Wounds  and  sores  may  be  treated  by  pouring  hot  water  on  them 
for  a  few  minutes  at  a  time. 

Very  hot  water  applied  to  a  bleeding  cut  will  stop  the  flow  of 
blood  frequently. 

A  rubber  bag  full  of  it  makes  one  indifferent  to  cold.  Wrapped 
in  flannel  and  nut  on  the  floor  of  a  carriage  it  is  invaluable. 

She  who  suffers  from  cold  feet  at  night  has  but  to  fill  a  hot 
water  bag  to  know  what  comfort  is. 

Sufferers  from  sleeplessness  find  themselves  deliciously  drowsy 
after  a  hot  bath. 

Wrinkles  flee  before  it  and  blackheads  vanish  before  its  constant 
use. 

In  cases  of  congestion,  bilious  colic,  inflammation,  etc., 
there  is  no  remedy  more  certain  to  give  relief.  In  cases  of  obstinate 
constipation,  also,  wonderful  cures  have  been  wrought. 

For  sore  throat,  diphtheria,  and  inflammation  of  the  lungs, 
a  hot  compress  is  one  of  the  most  potent  remedies. 

It  is  well  known  when  one  is  exhausted,  or  worn  out  with 
worry  or  labor,  a  cup  of  hot  broth,  or  tea  or  coffee,  or  even  copious 
draughts  of  quite  hot  water  is  one  of  the  best  stimulants  known 
and  always  easy  to  be  had,  with  no  bad  effects,  such  as  alcoholic 
stimulants  are  apt  to  leave. 

Hot  Water  Drinking. — There  are  four  classes  of  persons  who 
should  not  drink  large  quantities  f^i  hot  water.  These  are  as  follows: 
I.  People  who  have  irritabihty  of  the  heart.  Hot  water  will  cause 
palpitation  of  the  heart  in  such  cases.  2.  Persons  with  dilated 
stomachs.  3.  Persons  afflicted  with  "sour  stomach."  4.  Persons 
who  have  soreness  of  the  stomach,  or  pain  induced  by  light  pressure. 
These  rules  are  not  for  those  who  take  hot  water  simply  to  relieve 
thirst,  but  as  a  means  of  washing  out  the  stomach. 


HOT  WATER  FOR  BABIES 

Hot  water  is  highly  useful  in  the  digestive  disorders  of  children. 
The  good  effects  of  catnip  tea,  and  other  simple  liquids  administered 
to  babies,  are  all  probably  due  to  the  heat  they  contain. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  55 

In  cases  of  internal  cramps,  spasms,  and  lilce  pains,  the  in- 
ternal hot  bath,  by  way  of  the  mouth  is  often  a  specific,  and  all  that 
is  needed,  giving  comfort  instantly. 

Many  a  poor  babe  poorly  equipped  for  the  struggle  for  existence 
has  its  chances  materially  lessened  by  indiscriminate  feeding  on 
cow's  milk  and  various  kinds  of  teas. 

The  idea  permeates  all  classes  of  society,  that  a  child  must 
begin  to  eat  as  soon  as  it  is  ushered  into  existence.  A  child  will 
live  for  several  days  with  nothing  whatever  to  eat,  and  be  in  much 
better  condition  than  w4th  a  demoralized  digestive  tract.  On  hot 
water  it  will  live  comfortably,  and  scarcely  seem  to  miss  the  mother's 
milk. 

With  a  colicky  baby  the  hot  water  frequently  acts  as  an  anodyne, 
putting  it  to  sleep.  If  it  seems  distressed  afterj  nursing,  the  hot 
water  relieves  the  pain  even  if  it  be  caused  from  an  over-filled 
stomach.  The  water  can  be  given  in  a  spoon,  and  the  nurse  should 
taste  it  to  see  there  is  no  danger  of  scalding  the  child. 

With  judicious  nursing,  and  sensible  hygienic  regulations  in 
other  respects,  the  hot  water  seems  to  meet  all  demands  for  "medi- 
cine" during  the  first  few  weeks.  To  those  not  accustomed  to  the 
hot  water  treatment,  it  is  a  surprise  to  see  an  infant  contentedly 
swallow  six  or  eight  teaspoonfuls. 

The  terrible  pangs  of  a  felon  are  cut  short  by  the  application 
of  intensely  hot  water.  Have  the  water  as  hot  as  can  be  borne, 
place  the  finger  in  and  keep  renewing  the  hot  water  for  several  hours. 


THE  RATIONAL  TREATMENT  OF  GALL- 
STONES 

Biliary  calculi  are  formed  upon  foci  derived  from  inflammatory 
deposits.  Inflammation  is  caused  by  invading  bacteria — the  colon 
bacilli — from  the  duodenum.  The  calculi  only  irritate  when  the 
biliary  passages  are  inflamed,  while  at  other  times  the  patient  is 
unconscious  of  possessing  the  concretions.  The  pain  ensues  when  a 
calculus  leaves  its  habitat,  enters  an  inflamed  biliary  duct  and 
excites  spasm  of  the  circular  fibres,  inducing  exquisite  pain,  and 
then  being  held  there  until  the  irritability  of  the  spastic  fibres  is 
exhausted  and  they  relax,  permitting  advance  of  the  calculus  until 
it  encounters  a  fresh  set  of  fibres,  where  the  process  is  repeated, 
until  at  last  the  stone  roUs  out  into  the  gut,  and  relief  ensues. 


56  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Regulate  the  personal  and  domestic  sanitation.  Clear  the 
bowels,  keep  them  clear,  and  disinfect  them  with  a  sufficiency  of 
sodium  sulphocarbolate — average  adult  dose  20  grains  daily.  Incite 
healthy  gastrointestinal  digestive  secretions  by  minute  doses  of 
emetine,  rhubarb,  hydrastis,  or  juglans,  or  of  lobclinc;  any  of  these 
will  answer,  provided  enough  is  given — just  enough  to  incite  normal 
secretion,  not  an  excess.  Meanwhile  give  sodiuin  succinate,  5 
grains  four  times  a  day,  as  a  specific  to  quell  the  infective  chole- 
cystis  and  cholangitis.  Other  remedies  may  do  this — the  succinate 
does  it.  Continue  as  long  as  a  trace  of  bile  is  detectable  in  the  urine 
and  one  month  more. 

Meanwhile — the  paroxysms!  —  Be  it  remembered  that,  the 
pathologic  factor— is  spasm.  Hence  the  indicated  remedy  is  not 
so  much  an  anodyne  as  an  antispasmodic. 

Here  the  great  and  antis]3asmodic  triad  comes  into  play;  glonoin 
instantly  to  relax  the  constriction,  hyoscyamine  to  deepen  and 
prolong  this  effect,  and  strychnine  to  increase  the  activity  of  both 
and  to  restore  that  centric  nervous  control,  the  loss  of  which  is 
denoted  by  involuntary  spasm.  Of  each  1-250  grain,  administered 
in  the  mouth  for  speedy  action,  and  repeated  every  ten  minutes 
until  suffusion  of  the  face  indicates  full  action. 

For  Gall  Stones. — For  a  case  of  gall  stones,  Prof.  Da  Costa 
prescribed  olive  oil,  two  ounces  every  nieht,  and  dibasic  phosphate 
of  soda,  two  drachms  in  hot  water  every  morning.  The  passage 
of  the  gall  stones  is  facilitated  partly  by  the  chemical  action  of  the 
bile  upon  the  oil,  and  partly  by  the  mechanical  action  of  the  oil  on 
ihe  stones. 


DON'TS  FOR  THE  SICK  ROOM 

Don't  let  stale  flowers  remain  in  a  sick  chamber. 

Don't  appear  anxious,  however  great  your  anxiety. 

Don't  jar  the  bed  by  leaning  or  sitting  upon  it.  This  is  un- 
pleasant to  one  ill  and  nervous. 

Don't  have  the  temperature  of  a  sick-room  much  over  60 
degrees;  70  degrees  are  allowable,  but  not  advisable. 

Don't  neglect  during  the  day,  to  attend  to  necessities  for  the 
night,  that  the  rest  of  the  patient  and  the  family  may  not  be  dis- 
turbed. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  57 

Don't  Whisper. — A  whisper  will  often  wake  a  light  sleeper, 
when  an  ordinary  voice  would  not. 

Don't  Tiptoe. — A  tiptoe  will  sometimes  cause  more  disturbance 
than  a  carefully,  squarely  placed  footfall. 

Don't  SnifiF  or  Si^. — Sniffs  and  sighs  may  better  be  indulged 
in  in  the  open  air  where  a  gust  of  wind  can  blow  them  away. 

Don't  Handle  Rattling  Papers. — ^The  folding  and  unfolding 
of  papers  that  "rattle"  is  well  calculated  to  "rattle"  invalids,  to 
say  nothing  of  those  who  are  strong  and  well. 

Don't  ask  a  convalescent  if  he  would  like  this  or  that  to  eat  or 
drink,  but  prepare  the  delicacies,  and  present  them  in  a  tempting  way. 

Don't  be  unmindful  of  yourself  if  you  are  in  the  responsible 
position  of  nurse.  To  do  faithful  work  you  must  have  proper  food 
and  stated  hours  of  rest. 

Don't  throw  coal  upon  the  fire;  place  it  in  brown  paper  bags 
and  lay  them  on  the  fire,  thus  avoiding  the  noise,  which  is  shocking 
to  the  sick  and  sensitive. 

Don't  forget  that  kindness  and  tenderness  are  needful  to 
successful  nursing.  Human  nature  longs  to  be  soothed  and  com- 
forted on  all  occasions  when  it  is  out  of  tune. 

Don't  light  a  sick  room  at  night  by  means  of  a  jet  of  gas 

burning   low;   nothing   impoverishes   the   air   sooner.     Use   sperm 
candles  or  tapers  which  burn  in  sperm  oil. 

Don't  permit  currents  of  air  to  blow  upon  the  patient.  An 
open  fireplace  is  an  excellent  means  of  ventilation.  The  current 
may  be  tested  by  burning  a  piece  of  paper  in  front. 

When  the  invalid  wishes  fresh  air  raise  an  umbrella,  put  it  over 
him  or  her  with  a  shawl  or  blanket  thrown  over  all,  raise  the  windows 
(lower  them  if  possible)  for  a  few  moments. 

Don't  give  the  patient  a  fiill  glass  of  water  to  drink  from, 
unless  he  is  allowed  all  he  desires.  If  he  can  drain  the  glass  he  will 
be  satisfied,  so  regulate  the  quantity  before  handing  it  to  him. 

Don't  forget  to  have  a  few  beans  of  coffee  handy,  for  this 
serves  as  a  deodorizer  if  burnt  on  coals  or  paper.  Bits  of  charcoal 
placed  around  are  useful  in  absorbing  gases  and  other  impurities. 


58  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Don't  Allow  Offensive  Matters  to  Remain. — In  cases  of 
emergency  where  these  cannot  be  at  once  removed,  wring  a  heavy 
cloth,  for  instance,  like  Turkish  toweling,  out  of  cold  water,  use  it 
as  a  cover,  placing  over  this  ordinary  paper.  Such  means  prevent 
the  escape  of  odor  or  infection. 

Don't  venture  into  a  sick  room  if  you  are  in  a  violent  per- 
spiration, for  the  moment  your  body  becomes  cold  it  is  in  a  state 
likely  to  absorb  the  infection  and  give  you  the  disease. 

Don't  visit  a  sick  person  when  your  stomach  is  empty,  as 

this  disposes  the  system  more  readily  to  receive  the  contagion;  or, 
if  in  low  vitality  yourself,  or  aUing  in  any  manner. 

Don't  shout,  or  allow  the  voice  to  be  keyed  on  a  high  note. 
Shouting  may  be  a  necessity  in  connection  with  the  treatment  of 
"beasts  of  burden,"  but  should  be  counted  a  luxury  for  indulgence 
only  indoors,  when  conversing  with  those  who  are  "deaf  as  a  post." 

A  small  vegetable  press,  is  excellent  to  wring  out  hot  cloths.  It 
saves  time  and  scalded  hands. 

In  a  sick  room,  where  there  is  a  fever  patient,  the  temperature 
may  be  lowered  quickly  by  hanging  up  sheets  wrung  out  of  ice  or 
very  cold  water  and  fastening  them  to  the  doors  and  wall. 

If  it  is  not  convenient  to  fill  flannel  bags  for  the  sick  room 
with  sand,  bran  will  answer  the  purpose  very  well  and  will  retain 
the  heat  a  long  time. 

The  edges  of  the  mouths  of  bottles  are  very  seldom  kept 
covered,  while  the  lack  of  this  is  liable  to  infect  the  contents  as  they 
are  poured  out. 

A  few  drops  of  acetic  ether  administered  in  water  will,  it  is  said, 
revive  persons  who  have  been  made  insensible  by  inhaling  illuminat- 
ing gas. 

The  common  practice  of  raising  fainting  persons  to  an 

upright  position  is  often  sufficient  to  destroy  the  spark  of  life  which 
remains.  It  is  more  reasonable  and  sound  to  keep  such  persons 
in  the  prone  position  while  restoratives  and  local  means  are  adopted 
to  enable  them  if  possible  to  regain  consciousness. 

Palpitation  of  the  heart  can  always  be  arrested  by  bending 
double — the  head  down  and  the  hands  hanging — so  as  to  produce 
a  temporary  congestion  of  the  upper  part  of  the  body.  In  nearly 
every  instance  of  nervous  or  anemic  palpitation  the  heart  immedi- 
ately resumes  its  normal  function. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  59 

Preparing  the  Bed. — The  bed  should  be  protected  by  a  rubber 
sheet  pinned  to  the  mattress.  Get  one  about  a  yard  and  a  half 
long  and  pin  the  four  comers  to  the  mattress  securely  with  heavy 
safety  pins.  If  it  will  be  necessary  to  change  the  bed  often,  put  a 
linen  sheet  under  the  rubber  one. 

Over  the  rubber,  place  a  linen  sheet,  tuck  in  securely  at  each 
end,  and  if  necessary  to  keep  smooth,  pin  it. 

Never  allow  a  sheet  to  become  wrinkled  or  let  crumbs  remain 
under  the  patient.     This  will  obviate  the  danger  of  bed  sores. 

Bedsores  are  more  easily  prevented  than  cured.  If  it  seems 
necessary  for  further  protection,  put  a  pad  under  the  patient. 

Sponging  with  a  one-in-eighty  solution  of  creosote  in  alcohol 
is  excellent  in  the  treatment  and  prevention  of  bedsores. 

Have  a  sheet  and  a  light  covering  over  the  sick  person.  Avoid 
heavy  spreads  or  bulky  comforts.  Air  the  bedding  and  pillows 
frequently. 

In  changing  the  bed  clothes,  avoid  disturbing  the  patient  as 
much  as  possible.  Roll  the  patient  to  one  side  of  the  bed,  loosen 
the  bedding  on  the  other  side  and  roll  it  up  toward  the  center  of  the 
bed.  Put  the  clean  linen  in  its  place.  Then  turn  the  patient  gently 
over  and  roll  onto  the  clean  bedding.  Now  remove  the  soiled  linen 
and  smooth  out  the  clean,  attaching  it  properly  to  the  mattress. 

In  removing  a  patient's  gown  slip  it  well  under  the  arm. 
Gently  raise  the  shoulder  and  slip  the  garment  off  over  the  head. 
Put  on  the  clean  gown  by  putting  the  arms  in  the  sleeves  first. 
Slip  it  over  the  head  and  shoulders  and  pull  it  down  smoothly.  If 
the  person  is  too  weak  to  help  himself,  have  someone  raise  the 
shoulders  for  you  during  the  change. 

Mustard  poultices  should  be  made  with  tepid  or  cold,  never 
with  boiling  water.  The  activity  of  mustard  as  a  skin  stimulant 
is  due  to  a  volatic  oil.  This  oil  is  formed  in  the  mustard  only  after 
the  latter  is  made  wet,  and  boiling  water  prevents  the  formation  of 
the  oil.  Hence  the  poultice  should  not  be  placed  in  a  hot  oven 
or  on  a  hot  dish  when  made,  but  should  be  applied  immediately. 
There  is  no  necessity  for  the  layer  of  mustard  to  be  thick.  The 
skin  may  be  protected  with  thin  linen  or  a  fold  of  gauze.  A  imper- 
vious material  is  desirable  to  prevent  the  too  free  escape  of  the 
volatile  oil. 


60  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  mustard  poultice  can  be  made  in  a  variety  of  ways.  The 
simplest  and  cleanest  for  ordinary  purposes  is  as  follows:  Take  a 
piece  of  soft  flannel,  dip  it  in  tepid  water,  wring  out  and  sprinkle 
one  side  of  it  with  dry  mustard. 

Another  way  to  make  a  mustard  poultice  is  by  spreading 
a  large  tablespoonful  of  mustard,  made  in  the  ordinary  way  as  if 
for  the  table,  on  a  piece  of  soft  linen,  and  warming  it  before  the  fire 
when  it  is  to  be  applied. 

When  a  mustard  poultice  is  wanted  very  strong  it  may  be 

made  with  mustard  and  warm  vinegar;  when  not  required  so  strong, 
equal  quantities  of  mustard  and  linseed  meal  may  be  mixed  with 
warm   water. 

A  mustard  plaster  mixed  entirely  with  white  of  egg  will  neither 
scar  nor  blister.  For  tightness  of  the  chest  and  difficulty  of  breath- 
ing, many  people  have  experienced  great  relief  from  mustard  and 
water  mixed,  and  applied  on  an  old  rag,  and  allowed  to  remain  on 
from  twenty  minutes  to  half  an  hour. 

For  a  bread-and-water  poultice,  first  scald  out  a  basin,  then 
put  in  some  boiling  water,  throw  in  coarsely  crumbled  bread  and 
cover  with  a  plate.  When  the  bread  has  soaked  up  as  much  v,?ater 
as  it  will  take,  drain  off  the  remaining  water,  and  there  will  be 
left  a  light  pulp.  Spread  this  a  third  of  an  inch  thick  on  folded 
linen,  and  apply  it  when  of  the  temperature  of  a  warm  bath.  To 
preserve  it  moist,  occasionally  drop  warm  water  on  it. 

When  changing,  the  new  poultice  ought  to  be  at  the  bedside 
before  the  old  one  is  removed.  The  operation  must  be  performed 
quickly  and  the  skin  dried  before  the  fresh  poultice  is  put  on. 

Remember  that  moist  heat  leaves  the  skin  in  a  relaxed 

condition  and  very  susceptible  to  cold,  so  that  a  poultice  may  do 
more  harm  than  good,  unless  the  skin  is  protected  for  a  few  days 
afterwards  with  layers  of  flannel. 

An  ever  ready  night  light  can  be  made  from  a  bottle  six  inches 
high  and  one  inch  in  diameter.  The  bottle  is  filled  two-thirds  full 
of  pure  oilvc  oil  that  has  been  well  heated  about  fifteen  minutes, 
after  which  a  piece  of  phosphorous  about  the  size  of  a  bean  is  dropped 
in  and  the  cork  is  securely  applied.  This  gives  a  good  light  for 
about  four  months;  whenever  this  grows  dim  the  bottle  is  opened  a 
little  to  let  in  oxygen.  Care  is  necessary  in  handling  the  phos- 
phorous. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  61 

Boric  acid  sprinkled  over  the  face  of  a  poultice  enhances  its 
value  in  all  cases  of  possible  suppuration  or  of  wounds  from  which 
it  is  desirable  to  coax  matter. 


To  Make  a  Linseed  Poultice. — To  make  a  good  poultice  there 
must  be  plenty  of  boiling  water,  an  old  dinner  knife,  crushed  linseed 
and  something  to  serve  as  a  foundation  for  the  poultice,  which  it 
is  best  to  bum  as  soon  as  it  has  done  its  work.  The  foundation 
should  always  be  larger  than  the  part  which  has  to  be  covered,  so 
that  the  edges  can  be  folded  over  the  edges  of  the  poultice  and  pre- 
vent the  linseed  from  soiling  the  garments.  Everything  should  be 
in  readiness  before  the  poultice-making  is  commenced.  The  knife 
should  be  placed  in  the  basin,  and  the  basin  should  be  partly  filled 
with  boiling  water.  In  a  few  minutes  the  water  should  be  poured 
away,  and  the  basin  and  the  knife  will  be  quite  hot.  Just  as  much 
boiling  water  as  is  required  for  the  poultice  should  be  poured  into 
the  basin.  One  cupful  of  water  makes  a  small  poultice.  The  lin- 
seed must  be  stirred  in  briskly  until  the  poultice  is  thoroughly  mixed. 
The  proportion  of  linseed  to  water  should  be  such  that  the  poultice 
can  be  cut  clean  with  the  knife,  and  so  that  it  will  leave  the  basin 
without  sticking  to  it. 

The  poultice  should  be  spread  evenly  on  the  foundation  to  within 
an  inch  of  its  edge,  and  the  edge  of  the  foundation  should  be  folded 
over  the  edge  of  the  poultice.  It  should  then  be  placed  as  quickly  as 
possible  on  the  aflFected  part  with  the  linseed  side  downwards.  An 
hour  is  usually  long  enough  to  leave  such  a  poultice  on.  If  another 
is  to  follow  immediately,  the  skin  should  be  dried  and  warm  flannel 
or  cotton  wool  applied.  Use  crushed  linseed  in  preference  to 
linseed  meal,  as  the  former  contains  a  larger  proportion  of  oil.  Cov- 
ering a  poultice  with  several  folds  of  flannel  or  oiled  skin  helps  to  keep 
it  longer  warm,  and  fix  it  by  means  of  bandages.  (Good  House- 
keeper.) 


To  Remove  the  Bitter  Taste  of  Medicine. — Sugar  substances 
in  concentrated  solution  much  diminish  bitter  tastes.  Thus,  while 
the  infusion  of  gentian  is  excessively  disagreeable,  its  syrup  can  be 
very  well  taken  if  it  be  not  diluted  with  water,  thus  weakening  the 
action  of  the  sugar.  But  the  body  that  seems  to  enjoy  this  property 
in  the  highest  degree  is  liquorice.  By  its  aid  we  can  almost  immedi- 
ately dispel  the  bitter  taste  of  quinine,  colocynth,  aloes,  quassia,  etc.; 
it  is  only  necessary  to  chew  a  morsel  of  liquorice-root.  Aloes  may 
thus  be  powdered  and  sifted  without  inconvenience.  The  liquorice 
must  be  kept  in  the  mouth  for  a  longer  time  in  proportion  as  the 
bitterness  of  the  substance  to  be  overcome  is  intense  or  its  solution 
more  concentrated. 


62  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Powders  can  be  concealed  in  bits  of  bread  covered  with  jelly. 

Small  pills  can  be  given  to  those  who  are  two  years  and  over. 

Honey  is  said  to  be  a  good  vehicle  for  the  administration  of 
quinine  to  children  and  others  to  whom  the  flavor  of  this  drug  is 
very  nauseous. 

Tincture  of  iron  consists  of  solution  of  chloride  of  iron  one  part 
and  alcohol  three  parts.  Tincture  of  steel  and  tincture  of  iron  are 
synonymous. 

Medicine  may  be  made  tasteless  by  taking  ice  water  in  the 
mouth  before  taking  it;  the  nerves  of  the  organs  of  taste  are  be- 
numbed by  the  cold  water. 

Pills  are  often  quite  inert  when  they  are  either  hard-coated 
or  have  been  made  some  time.  On  placing  such  pills  in  acidulated 
water,  they  will  remain  undissolved  for  days,  even  though  they  be 
violently  agitated. 

In  giving  medicine  in  liquid  form  to  an  infant  place  the 
point  of  the  spoon  containing  the  medicine  against  the  roof  of  the 
mouth.  Administering  it  in  this  way  it  will  be  impossible  for  the 
child  to  choke  or  eject  the  medicine. 

To  Disguise  the  Taste  of  Cod-liver  Oil. — Sweeten  common 
vinegar  with  honey.  Take  a  small  sip,  and  then  take  the  oil,  the 
taste  of  which  will  be  perfectly  and  pleasantly  disguised. 

Hot  lemonade,  taken  just  before  "nasty"  medicine,  will  do 
marvels  toward  making  it  easy  to  swallow  and  in  killing  the  after- 
taste. Then,  if  a  slice  of  the  lemon  is  covered  with  sugar  and  eaten 
slowly  afterward,  even  castor  oil  will  be  robbed  of  its  terrors. 

Ouinine  can  be  taken  without  any  inconvenience  in  very  strong 
cold  black  coffee.  It  increases  the  bitter  taste  of  the  coffee  without 
overpowering  it. 

Bitter  tonics,  as  quinine,  should  be  taken  half  an  hour  before 
meals;  irons,  oils,  and  acids  after  eating,  that  they  may  be  digested 
with  the  food.  Iodide  of  potassium  is  always  given  after  meals; 
it  is  said  then  to  be  less  liable  to  disorder  the  digestion.  When  a. 
tonic  is  ordered  to  be  taken,  the  doctor  should  be  asked  whether  it 
is  to  be  given  before  or  after  meals. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  63 

A  good  rule  for  dosage  for  a  child,  and  one  easy  to  remember, 
is  that  of  "twentieths";  that  is,  to  give  as  many  twentieths  of  the 
dose  of  an  adult  as  the  child  has  years — one-twentieth  for  the  first 
year,  two-twentieths  if  the  child  is  two  years,  and  so  on.  If  the 
medicine  does  not  seem  to  agree  with  the  child,  then  lessen  the  dose. 

When  medicine  is  bitter  or  disagreeable  do  not  tell  a  child 
it  is  good,  but  make  every  effort  possible  to  lessen  the  unpleasantness 
of  the  taste.  If  you  have  oil  of  cloves  in  the  house,  place  a  drop  on 
the  child's  tongue  just  bofore  the  medicine  is  to  be  given.  This, 
though  burning  for  an  i'^stant,  will  destroy  the  sense  of  taste  for 
the  time  and  the  medicine  can  be  swallowed  and  retained  with  ease. 

In  giving  medicine  to  babies,  it  must  be  remembered  that  a 
baby  cannot  swallow  until  the  spoon  is  taken  out  of  its  mouth. 
After  the  medicine  is  given,  a  little  pinch  of  the  nose  will  make  the 
infant  swallow.  It  is  well  to  wrap  a  blanket  around  its  arms,  so 
that  it  cannot  knock  the  spoon  or  push  it  away. 

Powders  should  not  be  given  dry  to  an  infant,  as  they  are  apt 
to  cause  it  to  cough  or  strangle.  They  therefore  should  be  moistened 
and  given  in  a  spoon.  Pills  should  be  mashed  before  they  are  given. 
For  older  children  medicines  can  be  given  in  syrups  or  sweetened 
water. 

How  to  Take  Castor  Oil. — Take  a  half -glass  of  frothy,  sparkling 
beer,  mix  the  dose  of  oil  with  it,  and  whip  it  up  so  as  to  make  it  froth 
strongly.  The  oil  thus  becomes  intimately  mixed  with  the  froth, 
and  if  only  the  latter  is  drunk,  neither  the  taste  of  the  oil  nor  that 
of  the  beer  is  perceived. 

It  is  common  in  these  days  for  doctors  to  forbid  having  their 

patients  waked  to  take  medicine  if  they  are  asleep  when  the  hour 
comes  round,  that  the  people  have  learned  the  lesson  pretty  well, 
and  they  generally  know  that  sleep  is  better  for  the  sick  than  medi- 
cine. But  it  is  not  so  well  known  that  sleep  is  a  wonderful  preventive 
of  disease — better  than  tonic  regulators  and  stimulants. 

When  medicine  needs  to  be  taken  regularly  it  is  an  excellent 
idea  to  cut  a  circle  of  cardboard  large  enough  to  extend  over  the  edge 
of  a  tumbler.  Mark  the  disk  to  imitate  the  face  of  a  clock  and  cut 
notches  opposite  the  hour-marks.  Tie  a  knot  on  a  cord  and  pass  it 
through  the  center  of  disk.  Attach  a  button  or  other  weight  on 
end  of  cord  and  let  it  hang  over  the  tumbler.  When  medicine  is 
given  move  the  cord  to  indicate  the  time  when  it  must  be  given 
again. 


64  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


TO  EASILY  TAKE  CASTOR  OIL 

Put  into  a  tumbler  about  two  ounces  of  strong  lemonade,  using 
nearly  half  a  lemon.  Pour  in  the  desired  quantity  of  castor  oil. 
Just  as  you  are  ready  to  give  it  stir  in  about  one  quarter  teaspoonful 
of  baking  soda.  It  will  foam  to  the  top  of  the  glass.  Have  the 
patient  drink  it  while  it  is  effervescing.  Even  the  oiliness  of  the  dose 
is  not  detected. 

Palatable  Castor  Oil. — The  following  is  a  perfect  mixture  for 
disguising  the  nauseous  flavor.  Mix  10  grains  of  powdered  traga- 
canth  with  23^^  drachms  of  water;  upon  this  pour  very  slowly,  drop 
by  drop,  3^  ounce  of  castor  oil,  stirring  constantly  with  the  pestle. 
When  the  mixture  is  complete  add  about  3  ounces  of  water,  1 
ounce  of  syrup  and  a  few  drops  of  cherry-laurel  water.  In  this 
manner  a  white  emulsion  is  obtained,  in  which  the  taste  of  the 
castor  oil  is  quite  masked  by  the  taste  of  the  laurel  water. 

A  fifty-per-cent.  emulsion  of  cod-liver  oil,  or  other  oils, 
can  be  obtained  by  emulsifying  one-fourth  of  the  oil  thus: — Two 
parts  of  oU,  1  part  of  acacia,  and  13^  part  of  water,  and  then  adding 
the  balance  of  the  oil  and  almost  any  mucilaginous  solution  alter- 
nately, till  all  is  added.  The  mucilaginous  solution  can  be  quite 
thin,  and  if  added  warm  still  better.  Such  emulsion  has  the  advan- 
tage of  being  much  thinner,  will  consequently  allow  of  a  greater 
addition  of  sugar  to  help  disguise  the  taste,  and  yet  can  be  poured 
out  of  an  ordinary  prescription-vial,  which  is  not  the  case  with  a 
50-per-cent.  emulsion  made  in  the  ordinary  way. 

It  is," perhaps,  not  generally  known  that  "cod-liver  oil"  as 
usually  prepared  is  nothing  but  cod  oil  clarified — a  process  which 
actually  deprives  it  of  much  of  its  virtue,  to  say  nothing  of  more 
than  doubling  its  price.  Cod  oil  can  be  purchased  from  any  oil 
dealer  for  one-thirtieth  part  of  the  price  of  "cod-liver  oil"  as  usually 
sold.  To  make  it  more  palatable  and  digestible  add  an  ounce  of 
fine  table  salt  to  each  quart  bottle. 

Method  of  Breaking  Ice  for  Invalids. — Put  a  lump  of  clean 
water,  not  snow,  ice  into  a  vegetable  dish.  Thread  a  No.  6  or  7 
needle  with  white  thread,  and  tie  the  ends  together  so  you  can  pull 
by  them  if  the  needle  gets  beyond  depth.  Put  on  your  thimble  and 
press  the  point  of  the  needle  slowly  into  the  ice  about  half  an  inch 
from  the  corner.  You  will  hear  a  slight  sound,  then  the  ice  will 
crack  and  the  piece  fall  quietly,  saving  much  trouble  and  noise 
in  the  sick-room,  and  obviating  the  necessity  of  pounding  all  up  at 
once  as  in  the  old  method. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  65 

The  unnatural  appetites  which  sometimes  prevail  among  girls 
for  pickles,  chalk,  slate-pencils,  and  like  queer  fare,  always  indicate 
a  perverted  state  of  the  system,  that  should  be  promptly  investigated 
by  the  physician. 


THE  TONGUE  IN  HEALTH  AND  IN  SLIGHT 
AILMENTS 

A  healthy  tongue  is  best  known  by  negative  characters — rather 
by  what  it  is  not  than  by  what  it  is;  so  we  summarize  the  unhealthy 
tongue  as  (1)  creamy  white,  excess  of  unremoved  epithelium, 
metabolism  of  tissue  in  abeyance;  (2)  furred,  the  papillce  elongated, 
and  epitheUum  adhering  in  long  threads,  characteristic  of  inflam- 
mation; (3)  pale,  sodden,  toothmarked,  indicative  of  anaemia;  (4) 
red,  (a)  with  enlarged  papillae,  the  "strawberry  tongue  "  of  scarlatina; 
(b)  smooth  and  glazed,  the  "irritable  tongue,"  corresponding  to  an 
irritated  mucous  membrane  elsewhere,  as  in  the  lung  from  phthisis, 
or  intestine  from  diarrhoea;  (5)  the  dry  brown  tongue,  of  the  typhoid 
state,  blood  exuding  and  drying  on  its  surface,  and  secretion  of 
saliva  nil. 

There  is  further  (6)  the  aphthous  tongue,  often  followed  by 
''punched  out"  painful  ulcers,  to  be  treated  with  chlorate  of  potash; 
and  (7)  the  red  fissured  tongue,  generally  called  syphilitic,  which 
Dr.  Beale  says  is  not  necessarily  so,  but  for  which  he  recommends 
iodide  of  potassium,  with  or  without  small  (^  gr.)  doses  of  biniodide 
of  mercury. 

Note  that  often  the  same  character  of  tongue  may  occur 
in  a  slight  or  grave  ailment.  The  information  given  by  the  tongue 
is  general.  Other  symptoms  must  localize  the  disease,  and  severe 
organic  disease  of  the  stomach  is  often  accompanied  by  a  clean 
tongue:  a  red  glazed  tongue  indicates  debility,  with  want  of  assimila- 
tive power  of  digestion;  a  tremulous  flabby  tongue  indicates  de- 
lirium tremens;  hesitancy  in  protruding  the  tongue  indicates  con- 
cussion of  the  brain ;  protrusion  at  one  side  indicates  paralysis  of  the 
muscles  of  that  side. 

To  Dislodge  a  Fish  Bone. — It  sometimes  happens  that  a  fish 
bone,  accidentally  swallowed,  will  remain  in  the  esophagus  and  be 
troublesome.  In  such  cases,  as  soon  as  possible,  give  four  grains  of 
tartar  emetic  dissolved  in  one-half  pint  of  warm  water,  and  irnmedi- 
ately  after  the  whites  of  six  eggs.  This  will  not  remain  in  the 
stomach  more  than  two  or  three  minutes,  and  probably  the  bone 
will  be  ejected  with  the  coagulated  mass.  If  tartar  emetic  is  not  con- 
venient, a  spoonful  of  mustard  dissolved  in  lukewarm  water  and 
swallowed  will  answer  every  purpose  of  the  emetic. 


66  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  a  person  is  choking,  break  an  egg  as  quickly  as  possible  and 
give  the  white — do  not  beat  it — and  it  will  almost  certainly  dislodge 
the  obstruction,  whatever  it  may  be,  unless  it  is  lodged  in  the  wind- 
pipe. 

A  raw  egg  swallowed  immediately  will  generally  carry  a  fish 
bone  down  that  cannot  be  removed  from  the  throat  by  the  utmost 
exertion,  and  has  got  out  of  the  reach  of  the  saving  finger. 

EXCESSIVE  STOUTNESS  AND  LEANNESS 

Women  should  be  specially  careful  to  choose  the  right  diet. 
For  the  sake  of  her  beauty,  if  nothing  else,  a  woman  should  choose 
the  right  amount  of  nutritive  foods,  and  avoid  the  temptations  of 
overeating. 

It  may  be  said  as  a  cardinal  principle  of  nutrition  that 
no  human  being  should  be  fed  in  such  a  way  as  to  produce  fat;  and 
the  stoutness  which  so  often  comes  with  declining  years  is  an  evidence 
that  the  scientific  principles  of  nutrition  are  much  more  neglected 
so  far  as  the  human  beings  are  concerned  than  they  are  for  the  farm 
animal. 

Foods  poor  in  starch  and  sugar,  and  rather  rich  in  fat  and 
protein,  should  be  chosen  for  that  period  of  life  when  one  naturally 
grows  stout;  namely,  the  age  of  complete  adolescence  and  incipient 
senility. 

The  "  fat  "  habit  is  to  be  feared  much  more  than  the  thin 
habit.  By  observing  the  rate  of  growth  and  the  body  weight,  one 
may  tell  the  proper  quantity  of  food  to  be  used.  With  advancing 
age  the  physical  activity  usually  becomes  much  less,  while  at  the 
same  time  the  amount  of  food  which  one  eats  may  be  maintained  by 
force  of  habit  at  the  maximum  for  earlier  life. 

The  fleshy  woman  should  not  sleep  more  than  seven  hours 
out  of  the  twenty-four.  She  should  never  lie  in  bed  late  in  the 
morning,  nor  indulge  in  the  rocking-chair  habit.  On  the  other  hand, 
she  should  get  all  the  physical  exercise  she  can  possibly  manage, 
preferably  in  the  open  air.  The  best  all-around,  general  exercise — 
and  one  within  the  reach  of  all — is  walking. 

Most  women — whether  they  be  fat  or  thin — walk  far  too  little. 
The  woman  who  tends  to  be  fleshy  should  walk  for  at  least  an  hour 
every  day — and  do  it  regularly  and  systematically.  As  she  gets 
accustomed  to  the  exercise,  she  should  increase  the  number  of  miles 
she  walks  a  day,  until  she  is  doing  five  miles. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  C7 

The  Following  is  a  Good  Formula  for  Reducing  Flesh. — For 

breakfast,  4  oz.  of  beef,  mutton,  or  any  kind  of  broiled  fish  or  cold 
meat,  excepting  pork,  salmon,  eels,  and  herring.  A  large  cup  of  tea 
without  milk  or  sugar,  a  little  biscuit  or  an  ounce  of  dry  toast.  For 
dinner,  5  oz.  or  6  oz.  of  any  fish  or  meat  (except  those  prohibited), 
any  vegetable  (except  potatoes,  parsnips,  and  beets),  1  oz.  of  dry 
toast,  ripe  and  cooked  fruits,  and  any  kind  of  poultry  and  game. 
For  tea,  2  oz.  or  3  oz.  of  fruit,  dry  toast,  and  a  cup  of  tea  without 
milk  or  sugar.  And  for  supper,  3  oz.  or  4  oz.  of  meat  or  fish,  with 
a  cup  or  two  of  weak  black  tea.  Food  which  contains  sugar  and 
starch  in  large  proportions  rapidly  creates  fat,  and  must  be  avoided 
by  those  who  have  a  horror  of  corpulency. 

Dr.  George  Johnson's  Diet  for  Excess  of  Fat. — The  patient 
may  eat:  Lean  mutton  and  beef;  veal;  lamb;  tongue;  sweetbread; 
soups,  not  thickened;  beef  tea  and  broths;  poultry;  game;  fish; 
cheese;  eggs;  bread. 

In  moderation : — Greens ;  spinach ;  watercress ;  mustard  and  cress ; 
lettuce;  asparagus;  celery;  radishes;  French  beans;  green  peas; 
Brussels  sprouts;  cabbage;  cauliflower;  onions;  broccoli;  sea-kale; 
jellies,  flavored  but  not  sweetened;  fresh  fruit  in  moderation,  with- 
out sugar  or  cream ;  pickles. 

May  Not  Eat: — Fat  bacon  and  ham;  fat  of  meat;  butter;  cream; 
sugar;  potatoes;  carrots;  parsnips;  beet  root;  rice;  arrowroot;  sago; 
tapioca ;  macaroni ;  vermicelli ;  semolina ;  custard ;  pastry  and  pudding 
of  all  kinds ;  sweet  cakes. 

May  Drink: — Tea;  coffee;  cocoa  from  nibs,  with  milk,  but  with- 
out cream  or  sugar;  dry  wines  of  any  kind,  in  moderation;  brandy, 
whisky,  or  gin,  in  moderation,  without  sugar;  light  bitter  beer; 
ApoUinaris  water;  soda  water;  seltzer  water. 

May  Not  Drink: — Milk,  except  sparingly;  porter  and  stout; 
sweet  ales;  sweet  wines.  As  a  rule,  alcoholic  liquors  should  be 
taken  very  sparingly,  and  never  without  food. 

When  leanness  accompanies  the  use  of  an  abundant  and 
varied  diet  and  the  general  health  is  fair,  it  does  not  indicate  any 
unfavorable  state;  on  the  contrary,  the  capacity  for  exercise  is 
increased,  and  the  physical  balance  is  in  favor  of  resistance  to 
disease. 

When  leanness  is  the  result  of  an  attack  of  illness,  of  im- 
paired or  faulty  nutrition,  or  of  overwork,  the  remedy  is  to  be  sought 
in  the  use  of  abundance  of  digestible  and  nutritious  food  of  a  varied 
character,  a  moderate  degree  of  exercise,  and  plenty  of  sleep. 


68  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Leanness  is  generally  caused  by  the  lack  of  power  in  the 
digestive  organs  to  assimilate  the  fat-producing  elements  of  food. 
First  restore  digestion,  take  plenty  of  sleep,  drink  all  the  water  the 
stomach  will  bear  in  the  morning  on  rising,  take  moderate  exercise 
in  the  open  air,  eat  oatmeal,  cracked  wheat,  graham  mush,  baked 
sweet  apples,  roasted  and  broiled  beef,  bathe  daily  and  cultivate 
jolly  people. 

Extremes  of  obesity  and  leanness,  unless  they  are  family 
characteristics,  are  indicative  of  a  disturbed  physical  balance. 
Obesity  may  result  from  an  ill-regulated  diet  as  well  as  from  over- 
eating. While  superfluous  nourishment  is  stored  up  in  the  system 
in  the  form  of  fat,  a  similar  condition  may  be  caused  by  the  undue 
excess  of  starch  and  sugar  in  the  food,  so  that  the  appearance  may 
seem  to  indicate  high  health  when  in  fact  the  needs  of  the  body  are 
imperfectly  met. 

APPENDICITIS 

It  is  very  difficult  to  give  advice  about  appendicitis  without  seeing 
the  patient.  Sometimes  it  will  be  so  far  developed  that  nothing  but 
an  operation  can  save  the  patient's  life.  When  pus  has  formed, 
you've  got  to  see  a  doctor.  Sometimes  it  isn't  appendicitis  at  all.  But 
the  directions  will  be  found  good  for  the  bowel  troubles  that  seem 
like  appendicitis  even  if  they  are  not. 

Never  try  to  cure  appendicitis  if  there  is  a  doctor  near.  And 
here  is  what  you  are  advised  to  do  if  you're  a  long  way  from  a  doctor 
and  are  sure  you  have  appendicitis: 

First,  wash  the  bowels  out  with  hot  water.  Use  the  enemas 
as  hot  as  you  can  bear  them — for  the  hotter  the  water  is,  the  more 
good  it  will  do,  and  the  less  it  wUl  hurt;  put  half  a  teacup  of  castor 
oil  in  a  gallon  of  water.  The  water  must  be  felt  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  bowel.  It  will  probably  make  you  a  little  sick  in  the  stomach 
but  you  must  persevere.  Do  this  twice  a  day,  at  first,  then  once  a 
day,  continuing  for  at  least  a  week  after  the  soreness  has  disappeared. 
If  it  was  caused  by  a  collection  of  gas,  you'll  be  well  very  soon. 

In  connection  vrith  the  hot  enemas  take  only  a  liquid  diet  for 
at  least  ten  days.  If  you  want  oranges,  strain  tlie  juice  before  you 
drink  it.  Take  all  the  liquid  food  you  want,  and  also  take  several 
teaspoonfuls  of  olive  oil  every  day. 

The  only  danger  in  this  treatment  is  that  it  may  be  begun  too 
late.  If  the  appendix  is  full  of  pus,  flooding  the  bowels  might  rupture 
it  and  cause  trouble.  If  there  are  chills,  it  is  quite  safe  to  predict 
pus — although  that  is  not  always  an  indication. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  G9 

A  calomel  purge  followed  by  an  ice  bag  to  the  appendix  will 
often  abort  an  attack  of  appendicitis,  if  used  early. 

Keep  in  bed  as  long  as  there  is  any  soreness  or  pain,  and  use  cold 
compresses  over  the  bowels.  Some  like  to  use  ice  bags,  but  there  is 
more  virtue  in  a  cloth  wrung  from  ice  water  and  put  directly  on  the 
flesh.  Cover  it  with  oiled  silk,  or  folded  flannel,  and  change  it 
frequently.  Have  more  than  one  cloth,  so  as  to  use  a  fresh  one 
each  time;  poison  comes  from  the  system  on  these  cold  compresses, 
and  should  be  washed  off  before  they  are  used  again. 

To  Stop  Ordinary  Hiccough. — There  are  two  simple  methods 
of  arresting  this  unpleasant  affection — by  a  temporary  check  in  either 
the  respiration  or  the  circulation.  The  first  mode  of  doing  so  is  by 
drawing  in  the  breath  just  before  the  expected  time,  and  holding  it 
thus  till  the  period  is  past.  If  it  does  not  succeed  with  the  first  effort 
it  will  very  likely  do  so  with  the  second.  The  other  plan  is  to  squeeze 
the  right  wrist  with  the  finger  and  thumb  of  the  other  hand,  at  the 
place  where  the  pulse  is  generally  felt. 

A  Brazilian  physician.  Dr.  Ramos,  states  that  refrigeration  of 
the  lobe  of  the  ear  will  stop  hiccough,  whatever  its  cause  may  be. 
Very  slight  refrigeration,  he  asserts,  will  answer,  the  application  of 
cold  water  or  even  saliva  being  sufficient. 

Hiccough  is  relieved  by  a  tight  bandage  about  the  abdomen,  or 
the  inhalation  of  a  few  drops  of  chloroform. 

"There  is  only  one  specific  for  hiccough,"  says  Dr.  Henry 
Lewis,  "and  that  is  a  small  dose  of  wine  vinegar,  sweetened  with  as 
much  sugar  as  it  will  absorb.  I  have  used  this  remedy  when  the 
annoyance  has  passed  almost  into  the  dangerous  stage,  and  never 
knew  a  case  which  one  dose  would  not  relieve  and  two  cure.  Sucking 
a  lump  of  sugar  will  cure  a  very  tmld  attack,  but  is  not  eflfective  in 
severe  cases." 

To  cure  hiccoughs,  sit  erect  and  inflate  the  lungs  fully.  Then, 
retaining  the  breath,  bend  forward  slowly  until  the  chest  meets  the 
knees.  After  slowly  rising  again  to  the  erect  position,  slowly  exhale 
the  breath.  Repeat  this  process  a  second  time,  and  the  nerves  will 
be  found  to  have  received  an  excess  of  energy  that  will  enable  them 
to  perform  their  natural  functions. 

Ten  drops  of  chloroform  upon  a  lump  of  sugar  is  also  considered 

an  excellent  remedy  for  hiccough  and  ordinary  nausea. 


70  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


HEADACHE 

For  a  severe  headache,  a  towel  wrung  out  of  hot  water  and 
applied  to  the  back  of  the  neck  will  often  give  instant  relief. 

Putting  the  feet  in  hot  water  will  often  cure  a  headache  by 
drawing  the  blood  from  the  head. 

At  the  beginning  of  a  sick  headache,  exercising  the  abdominal 

muscles  often  gives  relief. 

For  headache,  drink  a  cup  of  strong  black  tea,  in  which  has 
been  squeezed  the  juice  of  a  lemon.  Half  a  teaspoon  of  common 
baking  soda  dissolved  in  hot  water  is  also  good. 

One  of  the  quickest  known  ways  of  dispelling  a  headache  is  to 
give  some  of  the  muscles — those  of  the  legs,  for  instance — a  little 
hard,  sharp  work  to  do.  The  reason  is  obvious.  Muscular  exercise 
flushes  the  parts  engaged  in  it,  and  so  depletes  the  brain.  When 
your  head  aches,  take  a  stiff  walk. 

Most  persons  do  not  know  that  the  most  effectual  form  in  which 
first  aid  can  be  rendered  in  cases  of  sunstroke  is  the  application  of 
cold — as  cold  water,  ice,  etc. — to  the  head  and  neck. 

An  investigation  of  the  effects  of  acetanilid,  antipyrin,  and 
phenacetin,  drugs  commonly  used  in  headache  remedies  of  the  present 
day,  showed  that  the  indiscriminate  use  of  these  drugs — or  remedies 
containing  them — without  the  advice  of  a  physician,  frequently 
produces  poisoning,  a  drug  habit,  or,  in  some  cases,  death. 

Autotoxemia  of  a  chronic  character  is  often  at  the  bottom  of 
many  tough  old  cases  of  headache,  rheumatism  and  "stomach 
trouble."  Restrict  the  diet  and  admonish  the  drinking  of  copious 
quantities  of  pure  water.  An  ounce  or  two  of  castor  oil  every  morn- 
ing or  so,  alternated  with  a  saline  sometimes  works  wonders  in  such 
cases. 

Copious  Secretion  in  the  Nose  as  a  Treatment  for  Severe 
Headache. — A  German  (Dr.  Lorand)  cured  himself  by  using  an 
irritating  snuff  to  start  profuse  nasal  secretion.  One  of  his  prescrip- 
tions (only  to  be  used  transiently  to  relieve  the  ache)  is:  Menthol, 
3  grains;  acid  bor.,  15  grains;  irid  florent.  and  sacch.  lact.,  each, 
30  grains. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  71 

Sleep,  if  taken  at  the  right  moment,  will  prevent  an  attack  of 

nervous  headache.  If  the  subjects  of  such  headaches  will  watch  the 
symptoms  of  its  coming,  they  can  notice  that  it  begins  with  a  feeling 
of  weariness  or  heaviness.  This  is  the  time  a  sleep  of  an  hour,  or 
even  two,  as  nature  guides,  will  effectually  prevent  the  headache. 
If  not  taken  just  then  it  will  be  too  late,  for,  after  the  attack  is  fairly 
under  way,  it  is  impossible  to  get  sleep  till  far  into  the  night,  perhaps. 

The  woman  who  is  subject  to  headaches  will  often  find  relief 
from  a  few  simple  exercises. 

One  of  the  best  of  these  is  swinging  the  head  in  a  gentle  circular 
motion  for  eight  or  ten  times.  Move  first  to  one  side  and  then  to 
the  other  to  avoid  dizziness.  Exaggerate  the  motion  slightly  at 
first,  dropping  the  head  as  far  forward,  to  back  and  sides  as  it  will 
comfortably  go. 

Should  these  neck  motions  prove  too  severe,  try  swinging  the 
arms  in  a  circle.  This  can  be  done  by  dropping  the  arms  close  to  the 
sides,  then  bringing  them  out  in  front  as  far  as  they  will  go,  up  over 
the  head  to  their  full  height  and  straight  back  from  the  shoulders 
until  they  fall  naturally  to  the  sides  again. 

Just  at  first  this  motion  will  seem  somewhat  jerky,  but  if  done 
slowly  and  regularly  it  will  soon  draw  the  blood  from  the  head  and 
thus  relieve  the  ache. 


NEURALGIA 


There  is  no  doubt  that  this  is  one  of  the  most  common  of  female 
maladies — one  of  the  most  painful  and  difficult  of  treatment.  It  is 
also  a  cause  of  much  mental  depression,  and  leads  more  often  to 
habits  of  intemperance  than  any  other. 

This  growing  prevalence  of  neuralgia  may  to  some  extent  be 
referred  to  the  effects  of  cold  upon  the  terminal  branches  of  the 
nerves  distributed  to  the  skin;  and  the  reason  why  men  are  less 
subject  to  it  than  women  may  to  a  great  extent  be  explained  by  the 
much  greater  protection  afforded  by  the  mode  in  which  the  former 
cover  their  heads  when  they  are  in  the  open  air.  It  may  be  observed 
that  the  surface  of  the  head  which  is  actually  covered  in  man  is  at 
least  three  times  that  which  fashion  allows  to  a  woman ;  indeed,  the 
points  of  contact  between  the  hat  or  bonnet  and  the  head  in  the  latter 
are  so  irregular  as  practically  to  destroy  any  protection  which  might 
otherwise  be  afforded. 


72  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Neuralgic  Ointment. — Menthol,  forty-five  grains;  cocaine,  fif- 
teen grains;  chloral,  ten  grains;  vaseline,  five  drachms.  Apply  to  the 
painful  part. 

Bisulphide  of  carbon  has  been  employed  with  success  in  the 
treatment  of  neuralgia.  From  fifteen  to  twenty  drops  are  applied  on 
cotton-wool  to  the  painful  part  and  covered  ■unth  a  piece  of  dry 
cotton.  The  remedy,  if  not  always  a  cure,  at  all  times  procures  great 
relief;  the  pain  produced  by  the  application  itself  is  only  temporary. 

Neuralgia  is  due  to  diverse  causes — a  loaded  colon,  intestinal 
worms,  malaria,  bad  teeth,  etc.,  but  beware  of  mistaking  all  facial 
neuralgia  for  what  is  due  to  bad  teeth,  and  so  having  a  sound  one 
drawn. 

Treatment. — Regulate  by  the  cause,  if  you  can  discern  it;  by 
guess,  if  you  cannot.  In  the  last  case  best  try  a  purgative  first,  then 
quinine,  especially  if  the  pain  occurs  periodically,  then  muriate  of 
ammonia  twenty  to  thirty  grains.  Iron  and  arsenic  if  the  blood  may 
be  in  fault.  If  the  pain  be  very  severe,  and  does  not  yield  to  any  of 
these  remedies,  then  sedatives,  opium,  chloral,  croton  chloral,  or  the 
hypodermic  injection  of  morphia.  These  last  remedies  should  not 
be  entrusted  to  the  patient. 


TREATMENT  OF  BURNS  AND  SCALDS 

For  bums  or  scalds,  apply  cloths  well  saturated  with  cool  alum- 
water,  keeping  the  injured  part  covered  from  the  air. 

For  burns  Dr.  Mosley  declares  balsam  of  copaiba  is  an  applica- 
tion preferable  to  bicarbonate  of  soda  or  other  remedies  which  have 
been  advocated. 

For  burns  of  the  first  degree,  a  saturated  solution  of  picric  acid 
(seventy-five  grains  to  an  ounce)  freely  applied  gives  instant  relief. 

Dr.  Brame  recommends  oil  of  peppermint  as  an  external 
application  in  cases  of  burns.  The  burned  surface  is  moistened  with 
water  and  then  painted  over  with  the  oil,  the  effect  being  to  relieve 
the  pain  very  quickly. 

The  true  physiological  method  of  treating  burns  or  scalds  is 
to  at  once  exclude  the  air  witli  cotton  batting,  flour,  scraped  potato, 
varnish,  white  of  an  egg,  paste,  or  anything  that  is  most  quickly 
obtained. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  73 

For  a  very  bad  burn,  melt  beeswax  and  into  this  pour  sweet  oil 
until  it  makes  a  salve  which  can  be  readily  spread  with  a  soft  brush. 
Keep  every  part  covered  with  the  salve. 

Eggs  for  Burns. — The  white  of  an  egg  has  proved  the  most 
efficacious  remedy  for  bums.  Seven  or  eight  successive  applications 
of  this  substance  soothe  the  pain  and  effectually  exclude  the  burned 
parts  from  the  air.  This  simple  remedy  seems  far  preferable  to 
collodion  or  even  cotton. 

For  a  bum  one  of  the  best  aids  is  to  immerse  the  part  in  kerosene 
for  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  if  possible,  or  cover  closely  for  some  time 
with  a  cotton  cloth  dipped  in  the  oil.    The  soreness  will  soon  leave. 

A  fine  ointment  for  burns  is  made  by  frying  white  clover  blos- 
soms in  lard.  Make  it  rich  with  the  clover  blossoms;  then  strain  it 
and  put  it  away  in  covered  glasses.  If  a  bad  blister  forms  almost 
immediately,  beat  an  egg  into  a  teaspoonful  of  olive  oil,  spread  it  on 
a  bit  of  linen,  and  cover  the  blister  with  it. 

Alcohol  for  Burns. — The  most  cleanly  dressing  for  a  burn  or 
scald  is  to  saturate  a  soft  piece  of  fabric  with  alcohol,  lay  it  over  the 
burn,  then  cover  it  with  cotton  or  finely  picked  oakum.  It  may  be 
thought  that  alcohol  will  produce  more  pain;  but  try  it,  and  you  will 
be  agreeably  surprised.  Disturb  the  dressing  as  little  as  possible; 
wet  it  occasionally  with  alcohol,  and  the  result  will  please  you. 

Cure  for  Burns  or  Scalds. — First  apply  sweet  oil  freely,  and  then 
saturate  it  wnth  whiting.  In  the  absence  of  medical  aid,  to  adapt 
the  nature  of  the  application  to  the  kind  and  degree  of  the  injury 
from  the  burn,  the  above  will  be  found  very  useful,  as  it  effectually 
excludes  the  air,  and  at  the  same  time  affords  a  soft  covering — the 
chief  points  in  the  treatment  of  burns.  It  answers  the  same  purpose 
in  these  respects  as  common  white  paint,  which  is  sometimes  employed, 
without  the  same  risk  of  danger  from  absorption. 

Or  the  Following  Method  May  be  Tried. — Let  the  clothes  be 
taken  off  with  great  care  and  tenderness,  and  then  apply  spirits  of 
turpentine,  or  lay  on  a  thick  plaster  of  fresh  yeast,  renewing  it  as 
often  as  it  becomes  hot  or  dry;  or  dash  the  part  with  cold  water  in 
which  some  yeast  has  been  stirred,  or  with  vinegar,  or  with  strong 
brine,  or  with  the  liquid  which  runs  from  potatoes  sliced  thin  and 
sprinkled  with  salt;  or  cut  a  large  cucumber  in  slices  and  lay  it  oa 
the  part. 


74  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  I^CEIPTS 


EXTINGUISHING  BURNING  CLOTHES 

The  first  impulse  of  the  victim  is  to  rush  about  shrieking  for 
help;  the  second  to  open  the  door,  if  possible,  and  run  along  the 
passages  out  into  the  open  air,  thus  fanning  the  flame  to  the  utmost. 

It  can  not  be  too  constantly  borne  in  mind  that  the  only 
safety  is  to  fall  down  quickly  on  the  floor;  if  a  small  portion  of  the 
dress  only  is  ignited,  it  may  be  put  out  by  thrusting  it  under  the  body 
and  by  rolling  upon  it. 

By  rolling  over  and  over  the  person  on  fire  is  comparatively 
safe,  as  the  flames  ascend  away  from  the  body,  and  thus  do  compar- 
atively little  damage. 

The  course  of  action  for  by-standers  is  evident;  it  is  to  seize 
any  woolen  covering  near  at  hand,  as  a  blanket,  shawl,  hearth-rug, 
coat,  or  curtain,  throw  it  instantly  around  the  sufferer,  and  roll  her 
on  the  floor  in  its  folds. 

Scores  of  lives  have  been  saved  by  by-standers  taking  off  their 
coats,  and  instantly  extinguishing  the  flames  in  this  manner. 

As  soon  as  the  victim  is  on  the  ground  the  greatest  danger  is 
over;  the  flames  no  longer  rise  to  the  face,  and  the  breathing  of  the 
overheated  air,  which  is  always  fatal,  is  prevented. 

It  may  be  asked,  what  is  the  best  treatment  to  be  adopted  for 
the  sufferer  before  the  ai-rival  of  medical  aid. 

If  the  burn  is  severe,  the  patient  should  be  laid  in  a  bed  and  the 

clothes  removed  with  as  little  disturbance  as  possible;  they  should, 
if  requisite,  be  cut  off,  so  as  to  avoid  the  slightest  additional  injury 
to  the  burned  surface.  Then,  to  exclude  the  air,  some  application  is 
requisite;  cotton  wool  does  very  well,  but  the  simplest,  the  nearest 
to  hand,  the  most  easily  applied,  and  certainly  one  of  the  most 
efficacious,  is  flour,  profusely  dredged  on  out  of  a  common  flour- 
dredger. 

Safety  Code  for  the  Home. — (1)  Blow  out  matches  before 
throwing  them  away.  (2)  Keep  rubbish  cleared  out.  (3)  Keep  fire 
eecapee  free  from  every  obstruction.  (4)  Do  not  use  benzine, 
naphtha,  gasoline  or  any  inflammable  fluids  in  the  house.  (5)  Guard 
gas  jets  from  contact  with  window  curtains.  (6)  Do  not  leave  lamps 
turned  low.  It  may  cause  an  explosion.  (7)  Do  not  put  oil  in  a 
lamp  while  it  is  lighted.    Fill  and  clean  lamps  only  in  daytime. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  75 

Good  Fire  Extinguisher.  —  Five  pounds  of  commercial  sal- 
amoniac,  worth  about  fifteen  cents  per  pound,  and  five  pounds  of 
common  salt,  worth  less  than  one  cent  per  pound,  ten  pounds  in  all; 
and  this  will  make  about  five  gallons  of  a  saturated  solution.  To 
make  it  quickly,  boil  in  pure  water  ten  or  fifteen  minutes;  pour  off 
the  saturated  solution,  bottle  and  cork  tightly  to  prevent  evapora- 
tion; add  fresh  water  to  the  minerals  until  they  are  all  dissolved, 
stirring  often  as  long  as  the  water  will  absorb  the  salts.  They  can 
be  made  in  cold  water  equally  well,  but  it  takes  a  great  deal  more 
time.  If  boiled  very  long,  the  heated  water  will  absorb  more  of  the 
salts,  but  will  precipitate  it  in  the  bottom  of  the  bottles  after  cooling. 

Wood  saturated  with  this  solution  will  burn  very  slowly,  or 
not  burn  at  all.  In  case  of  fire,  sprinkle  the  water  freely  on  the  base 
of  the  fire.  This  preparation  will  keep  indefinitely  in  any  climate 
or  temperature  (below  boiling  point).  Put  it  up  in  glass  only.  It 
will  destroy  tin  or  iron  vessels  if  left  in  them  long. 

In  case  of  fire,  wet  a  silk  handkerchief  and  tie  without  folding 
over  the  face.  It  will  prevent  suffocation  from  smoke,  permit  free 
breathing,  and  excludes  smoke  from  the  lungs. 

SPRAIN— OR  STRAIN 

This  painful  injury  is  the  result  of  forcible  overstretching  of  the 
ligaments — of  a  joint.  In  their  natural  state,  the  ligaments  are  but 
slightly  sensitive;  but  when  overstretched,  they  are  acutely  so;  there 
are  few,  perhaps,  who  have  not,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  experienced 
the  sickening  pain  of  a  sprained  wrist  or  ankle,  the  two  joints  which 
are  most  frequently  the  seat  of  the  injury;  their  liability  arising 
from  their  immobility  compared  with  such  a  joint  as  the  shoulder 
which  is  more  liable  to  dislocation. 

A  sprain  is  attended  with  pain,  which,  perhaps,  causes  faint- 
ness  or  vomiting ;  when  this  passes  off,  it  is  found  that  the  joint  cannot 
be  employed  as  usual,  every  attempt  renewing  the  suffering;  shortly 
swelling  comes  on,  followed  by  the  heat  and  pain  of  inflammation. 

When  a  sprain  has  occurred,  complete  rest  is  the  first  necessity 
accompanied  by  the  soothing  influences  of  fomentation  and  poultice, 
well  and  thoroughly  made  use  of,  from  the  very  first;  the  early  em- 
ployment of  the  remedies  doing  much  to  alleviate  the  suffering. 
When,  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours,  inflammatory  signs  appear,  six 
eight,  or  ten  leeches  may  be  applied  around  the  joint  with  advantage 
and  if  the  patient  is  of  at  all  full  habit,  a  few  doses  of  purgative 
medicine  should  be  given. 


76  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  allay  the  pain,  six  or  eight  grains  of  Dover's  powder,  with  a 
couple  of  grains  of  calomel,  may  be  given  at  night,  and  followed  in 
the  morning  by  a  Seidlitz  powder,  or  some  other  purgative. 

After  the  joint  has  been  soothed  for  some  days  by  rest,  with 
poultices,  and  fomentations,  it  will  be  advisable  to  change  these 
applications  for  a  bandage,  which  is  to  be  kept  wet  with  tepid  water, 
lightly  applied  to  the  injured  part,  which,  if  agreeable  to  the  feelings 
of  the  patient,  may  be  enveloped  in  some  warm  material. 

In  such  injuries,  regulation  of  the  temperature,  the  employment 
of  heat  or  cold  in  the  treatment,  is  always  best  ruled  by  the  feelings 
of  the  patient.  In  some  few  cases,  even  from  the  beginning,  cold 
lotions,  such  as  the  lead  of  the  spirit  lotion,  etc.,  are  found  most 
soothing,  and  then  it  is  right  to  use  them,  at  least  as  long  as  they 
prove  agreeable;  but  more  frequently  warmth,  with  moisture,  is  pre- 
ferred and  preferable.  The  bandage  at  first  applied  lightly  may 
gradually  be  used  to  exert  more  pressure,  and  to  give  more  support, 
and  the  tepid  applications  may  be  exchanged  for  cold  ones. 

As  soon  as  it  can  be  borne,  friction  night  and  morning  with  the 
soap  liniment,  or  soap  and  opium  liniment,  will  be  found  agreeable 
and  serviceable.  Lastly,  instead  of  the  morning  rubbing,  the  cold- 
water  douche — the  pump  is  a  common  and  very  good  form — must 
be  used  to  give  strength  and  tone.  For  the  latter  purpose,  salt 
water  or  sea  water  is  perhaps  preferable  to  fresh;  whichever  is  em- 
ployed, it  ought  to  be  continued  till  the  joint  aches  slightly,  the 
after-reaction  being  promoted  by  rubbing  well  with  a  towel. 

It  is  repeated,  too  great  caution  cannot  be  used  in  bringing  a 
joint  which  has  been  sprained,  into  use,  andespecially  if  the  subject 
of  the  accident  is  at  all  of  a  scrofulous  habit. 

For  a  severe  sprain  take  the  white  of  an  egg  and  a  teaspoonful 
each  of  vinegar  and  spirits  of  turpentine.  Put  all  in  a  bottle,  shake 
it  thoroughly,  then  bathe  the  sprain  often,  beginning  as  soon  as 
possible  after  the  accident. 

For  Sprains  or  Bruises. — Take  one  pint  of  lard-oil;  half  a  pound 
of  stone-pitch;  half  a  pound  of  resin;  half  a  pound  of  beeswax,  and 
half  a  pound  of  beef-tallow.  Boil  together  for  half  an  hour,  skim  off 
the  scum,  pour  the  liquid  into  cups.  When  needed,  it  must  be  spread 
upon  coarse  cotton  cloth,  or  kid  (the  latter  is  best),  and  applied  to 
the  sprain  or  bruise.  It  will  give  quick  relief,  as  it  entirely  excludes 
the  air.  One  or  two  plasters  of  it  will  cure  the  worst  case.  It  acts 
like  splints  on  a  sprained  ankle  or  wrist.  It  is  also  good  for  cattle, 
horses,  or  dogs  in  all  cases  of  injury. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  77 

A  Piaster  for  Sprains  or  Attaclcs  of  Rlieumatistn  in  Joints. — 

Take  equal  parts  of  resin  and  Burgundy  pitch,  melt  in  a  tin  dipper, 
and  when  liquid  put  in  a  piece  of  camphor  gum  as  large  as  an  English 
walnut,  and  half  that,  in  size,  of  opium.  Stir  till  all  is  dissolved,  as 
it  will  soon  be  if  kept  hol\  and  when  none  of  the  gum  is  visible  spread 
on  thin  leather  or  thick  drilling.  Apply  while  warm  and  it  will 
relieve  the  pain.    These  are  all  excellent,  tried  remedies. 

In  malting  a  mustard  plaster  for  a  patient  with  a  delicate  skin, 
use  white  of  egg  instead  of  water. 

To  malce  a  mustard  plaster  for  a  child,  take  one  teaspoonful 
of  ground  mustard  and  three  of  flour,  with  enough  water  to  make  a 
good  stiff  paste.  Spread  between  two  cloths.  For  an  adult,  use  one 
part  mustard  to  two  of  flour.  Mixed  with  the  white  of  an  egg  it  will 
raise  a  blister. 

Rapid  Blister. — It  is  sometimes  desirable  to  produce  a  small 
blister  quickly.  For  this  purpose  nothing  is  better  than  concentrated 
water  of  ammonia.  Put  a  few  drops  of  it  into  a  watch-glass  or  any 
receptacle  of  the  sort,  cover  it  with  a  pledget  of  absorbent  cotton, 
invert  on  the  spot  to  be  blistered,  and  press  closely.  In  half  a  minute 
or  so  a  red  circle  will  appear  on  the  skin  around  the  edges  of  the  con- 
fining vessel.  It  is  an  evidence  that  vesication  has  taken  place,  and 
the  blistering  material  can  be  removed.  The  blister  should  be  treated 
in  the  same  manner  as  one  obtained  with  cantharides. 

A  Mustard  Sponge. — Dr.  B.  W.  Richardson  recommends  the  use 
of  a  sponge  for  mustard  poultices.  He  says:  "  A  sponge  makes  the 
best  of  mustard  carriers.  The  nurse  mixes  the  mustard  in  a  basin 
with  water  until  the  mass  is  smooth  and  of  even  consistency.  Then 
she  takes  the  soft  mass  all  up  with  a  clean  sponge,  lays  the  sponge 
in  the  center  of  a  soft  white  handkerchief,  ties  up  the  corners  of  the 
handkerchief  neatly  to  form  a  hold,  and  applies  the  smooth  convex 
surface  to  the  skin.  This  mustard  sponge,  warmed  again  by  the  fire 
and  slightly  moistened,  can  be  applied  three  or  four  times,  is  good  for 
several  hours,  and  saves  the  trouble  of  making  a  new  poultice  for 
reapplication,  often  a  matter  of  importance  during  the  weariness  of 
night-watching.    The  sponge  can  be  washed  clean  in  warm  water. 

Spermaceti  Ointment. — This  is  a  cooling  and  healing  ointment 
for  wounds.  Take  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  white  wax,  and  half  an 
ounce  of  spermaceti  (which  is  a  hard,  white  material)  and  put  them 
in  a  small  basin,  with  two  ounces  of  almond  oil.  Place  the  basin 
by  the  side  of  the  fire  till  the  wax  and  spermaceti  are  dissolved.  When 
cold,  the  ointment  is  ready  for  use.  This  is  an  article  which  it  is 
much  better  to  make  than  to  purchase.  When  you  make  it  yourself, 
you  know  that  it  has  no  irritating  or  inferior  materials  in  it. 


78  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

For  a  slight  cut  there  is  no  better  remedy  than  common  flour. 
Bind  on  plenty  and  do  not  remove  the  bandage  for  several  days. 

A  really  bad  cut  can  be  quickly  cured  by  applying  a  small  lump 
of  lard  upon  which  you  have  poured  a  few  drops  of  laudanum. 

Spirits  of  camphor  rubbed  several  times  on  a  cold  sore  as  it 
begins,  will  prevent  it,  or,  if  it  has  begun,  will  keep  it  from  getting 
larger  and  hastens  its  disappearance. 

To  prevent  a  bruise  from  discoloring,  apply  immediately  hot 
water,  or,  if  that  is  not  at  hand,  moisten  some  dry  starch  with  cold 
water  and  cover  the  bruised  place. 


TO  CURE  CONSTIPATION 

Think  of  your  body  as  a  machine,  wherein  every  part  must  be 
in  good  working  order,  or  the  entire  machine  loses  in  efficiency.  Then 
consider  the  condition  when  the  bowels  are  perpetually  clogged. 

Constipation  usually  is  begun  by  ignorance  of  the  importance 
of  promptly  answering  the  calls  of  nature.  Little  children  get  into 
the  habit  because  they  dislike  to  leave  their  play.  They  are  not 
taught  that  they  must  form  the  habit  of  evacuating  the  bowels  as 
early  in  the  day  as  possible. 

Keep  the  Ashes  Cleaned  Out. — Let  the  colon  grow  torpid,  and 
then  fecal  matter  accumulates,  decomposes,  and  forms  toxins.  These 
are  absorbed,  traverse  the  circulation,  permeate  the  framework,  and 
every  tissue,  organ,  function,  and  cell  feels  the  deleterious  influence. 
Vital  resistance  is  weakened  everywhere,  and  at  the  point  most 
vulnerable  the  waiting  microbes  succeed  in  overcoming  opposition — 
and  local  diseases  begin. 

It  takes  persistence  and  determination  to  force  lazy  bowels  into 
healthy  normal  action;  don't  believe  in  drugs  or  enemas  except  as 
aids;  they  bring  temporary  relief,  but  never  cure.  And  the  longer 
they  are  resorted  to  the  more  incapable  the  bowels  become  of  in- 
dependent action,  and  the  longer  it  will  take  to  bring  about  a  cure. 

Lazy  bowels  finally  become  paralyzed  bowels.  Sores  form  on 
lazy  bowels,  where  matter  that  should  have  been  expelled  has  been 
allowed  to  remain  and  irritate  the  lining  until  inflammation  sets  in. 
And  this  dirty,  disgusting  condition  is  really  unnecessary.  Unless 
the  lx)wels  are  absolutely  paralyzed,  they  can  be  forced  to  act 
normally. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  79 

It  Is  more  than  likely  that  the  inside  of  your  bowel  is  coated 
thickly  with  matter  that  has  been  slowly  collecting  all  these  years 
while  your  bowels  have  been  getting  more  and  more  lazy. 

It  is  wise  to  get  rid  of  this  accumulation  as  quickly  as  possible, 
and  I  know  of  no  quicker  way  than  to  use  a  syringe.  Use  castor  oil 
in  water  as  hot  as  can  be  borne.  Then  use  lukewarm  water  with  a 
little  witch  hazel  with  which  to  rinse  the  bowels.  It  will  take  several 
days  of  this  treatment  to  get  the  bowels  really  clean. 

While  doing  this,  eat  mutton,  and  take  mutton  broth  with  rice 
in  it,  and  don't  forget  buttermilk. 

If  you  eat  meat,  and  toast,  be  sure  to  chew  everjrthing  well, 
for  you  want  to  make  it  as  easy  as  possible  for  your  machinery  to 
take  care  of  its  food,  while  under  the  process  of  regulation. 

Foods  to  be  avoided  by  the  chronic  constipated:  Milk,  eggs, 
fried  foods,  rich  gravies,  pickles,  cheese,  tea,  bananas,  pastry  or 
starchy  puddings,  and  st»ong  condiments. 

Some  Causes  of  Constipation. — Indigestible  or  stringent  food, 
lack  of  exercise,  or  of  sufficient  water,  overuse  of  condensed  foods, 
improper  habits  in  eating,  and  using  drugs. 

Figs  soaked  in  water  over  night  and  eaten  in  the  morning  before 
other  food  will  often  prove  a  relief  for  constipation,  especially  in 
young  children. 

Obstinate  Constipation  Remedy. — 01.  Ricini,  73^  drachms; 
Syrup  Rhei,  5  drachms;  Alcohol,  3J<4  drachms;  Ess.  Menth.  Piper, 
2  drops.     M.  Sig. —  In  one  dose  or  two,  as  needed. 

Indolent  Bowels  in  Aged  Persons. — Pulv.  Scammon,  J^  drachm; 
Ext.  Aloes,  1  drachm;  Bals.  Peru,  10  grains;  01.  Carul,  10  minims. 
M.  et  ft.  pil.  No.  20.     Sig.     One  at  night. 

Remedy  for  Torpid  Liver. — One  of  the  best  and  simplest 
remedies  for  torpid  liver  or  biliousness  is  a  glass  of  hot  water  with 
the  juice  of  half  a  lemon  squeezed  into  it,  but  no  sugar,  night  and 
morning.  A  person  to  whom  this  was  recommended  tried  it,  and 
found  himself  better  almost  immediately.  His  daily  headaches, 
which  medicine  had  failed  to  cure,  left  him,  his  appetite  improved, 
and  he  gained  several  pounds  within  a  few  weeks.  This  is  so  simple 
a  remedy  that  any  person  thus  afflicted  will  do  well  to  give  it  a  trial, 
as  it  cannot  possibly  do  any  harm. 


80  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  one  is  only  slightly  troubled,  care  as  to  diet  is  all  that  is 
necessary.  Avoid  the  foods  known  to  be  constipating,  and  eat  the 
other  kind.  Drink  plenty  of  water,  more  especially  before  breakfast. 
Drink  plenty  of  buttermilk  between  meals,  and  eat  grapes  and  figs 
whenever  you  can  get  them. 

But  there  are  cases  of  constipation  that  cannot  be  reached  by 
simple  methods,  for  the  bowels  are  too  nearly  paralyzed.  If  you 
belong  to  this  class  of  sufferers,  you  can't  afford  to  let  the  condition 
continue,  for  it  is  more  than  likely  to  prevent  a  cure  of  some  other 
simple  little  trouble  that  might  have  taken  care  of  itself  had  your 
bowels  been  normal. 

The  real  cure  for  constipation  consists  in  internal  massage  of 
the  bowels.  This  is  known  in  most  so-called  heathen  countries. 
This  is  what  you  ought  to  do  every  day  of  your  life,  but  what  you 
are  not  likely  to  do  long  enough  to  get  any  real  benefit  from  it.  It 
takes  more  effort  to  massage  the  bowels  than  to  swallow  pills. 

When  you  have  trained  yourself  so  that  you  can  take  these 
exercises  for  two  consecutive  minutes,  you  are  ready  to  begin  to 
train  your  bowels.  To  do  this,  you  must  take  these  exercises  at 
about  the  same  time  every  day.  Begin  by  taking  a  dose  of  phos- 
phate soda  in  hot  water,  or  of  epsom  salts  in  hot  water — whatever 
you  have  found  that  will  act  quickly — and  take  the  exercises  just 
before  it  is  time  for  the  medicine  to  act.  This  may  seem  very 
fooHsh  to  you ;  but  it  is  not.  It  is  in  the  line  of  suggestive  treatment, 
and  it  has  been  done  often  enough  to  prove  that  the  massage  treat- 
ments show  results  more  quickly  than  would  otherwise  be  the  case. 
There  are  many  who  never  use  the  remedies  with  the  massage, 
nor  should  they  be  used  except  as  a  starter.  Take  a  smaller  and 
smaller  dose  each  day  with  the  treatments  and  soon  you  will  find 
that  medicine  is  not  needed. 

Enemas. — The  judicious  use  of  enemas  where  there  is  auto- 
intoxication, that  is,  absorption  of  poisons  through  the  colon,  is 
advisable.  They  are  especially  needed  when  one  is  not  feeling  well, 
from  any  cause,  as  a  cold.  A  warm  enema  is  likely  to  have  an 
after-effect,  the  inability  to  defecate  without  its  use.  For  this  rea- 
son cool  enemas,  temperature  of  80  degrees  down  to  75  degrees,  are 
best.  The  best  way,  however,  of  regulating  the  bowels,  is  by 
exercise  and  diet. 

Glycerin  in  Enemata. — Fifty  drops  of  glycerine  injected  into 
the  rectum  is  a  very  efficient  remedy  for  producing  energetic  and 
copious  dejections. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  81 

Enema. — Noble  recommends : — Sulphate  of  Magnesium, 2  ounces; 
Glycerin,  2  ounces;  Oil  of  Turpentine,  4  drachms;  Water,  2  ounces. 

The  Danger  of  Purgatives. — If  you  have  the  least  suspicion 
that  a  person  does  not  pass  wind  do  not  give  any  aperient  at  all. 
The  only  thing  you  are  justified  in  giving  is  an  enema. 


TO  MASSAGE  THE  BOWELS 

Begin  by  taking  a  correct  standing  position — with  the  weight 
on  the  soles  of  the  feet.  Don't  have  on  any  clothing.  Stretch, 
until  the  line  from  the  navel  to  the  neck  is  as  long  as  you  can  make 
it;  now,  holding  that  position,  draw  in  a  deep  breath,  and  then 
hold  the  breath,  yet  move  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen  as  if  you  were 
breathing.  Move  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen  as  long  as  you  can, 
then  expel  your  breath,  and  try  again.  But  do  not  try  too  many 
times  at  first,  for  you  will  derive  greater  benefit  from  working  up 
slowly. 

Next,  bring  the  bowels  up  as  far  as  you  can — much  as  naughty 
children  do  when  they  stick  out  their  stomach!  Then,  standing 
with  the  weight  on  the  left  foot,  bring  up  the  right  hip  as  far  as  you 
can;  then  bend  the  back  so  that  the  body  becomes  prominent  just 
below  the  waist  line;  then,  standing  on  the  right  foot,  bring  up  the 
left  hip.  This,  when  done  evenly,  is  known  as  "the  hip  roll." 
You  must  try  to  do  this  exercise  without  moving  any  other  part 
of  the  body  more  than  is  actually  necessary.  You  will  see  for  your- 
self that  it  does  massage  the  bowels.  It  will  bring  life  to  bowels 
that  have  been  partially  paralyzed;  but  it  won't  do  it  in  a  day  or  a 
week.  It  is  not  good  to  begin  this  exercise  until  the  bowels  have 
been  cleansed  and  softened,  if  constipation  has  become  chronic. 

You  will  also  find,  to  your  great  delight,  that  you  no  longer  have 
a  prominent  abdomen  for  this  massage  treatment  takes  it  all  away. 
At  first,  it  will  hurt  you  so  that  you  will  be  quite  anxious  about 
yourself.  But  it  wears  away.  Just  be  a  little  easy  with  yourself 
at  first;  but  keep  at  it  every  day.  You'll  feel  new  and  clean,  and 
so  much  lighter  that  walking  will  be  a  pleasure,  and  you'll  lose  that 
bad  taste  in  your  mouth,  and  your  offensive  breath,  and  your 
headache. 

For  colic,  or  pain  in  the  bowels,  take  two  large,  thick  dinner- 
plates,  put  into  hot  water,  let  heat  until  you  cannot  bear  your  hand 
on  them,  then  wrap  one  in  a  thin  towel  and  lay  over  the  seat  of 
pain,  changing  as  often  as  the  plate  grows  cool.  This  is  much 
easier  than  wringing  cloths  from  hot  water  and  quite  as  eflScacious  a 
remedy. 


82  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Colic. — A  towel  folded,  dipped  in  hot  water,  wrung  out  rapidly 
and  applied  to  the  stomach  acts  like  magic  in  cases  of  colic. 

Flatulence  and  Colic. — Spt.  Junip.  comp,  2.V^  fl.  drachms; 
Glycerin,  1  \-2  fl.  drachms;  Aquae  Anisi,  q.  s.  ad  2  fl.  ounces.  M.  Sig. — 
Teaspoonful  in  hot  water  as  required. 

Soda  Mint  gives  the  best  results  in  cases  of  nausea  and  to  relieve 
wind  on  the  stomach.  Sodii  bicarb.,  1  ounce;  Aqua  menth.  pip, 
16  ounces;  Spts.  ammon.  arom.,  ^2  ounce.  Mix. — Dose,  tablespoon- 
ful. 

Glycerin  in  Gastric  Troubles.  —  Dr.  Ringer  calls  attention 
to  the  value  of  glycerin  as  a  remedy  in  flatulence,  acidity  of  the 
stomach,  and  pyrosis.  He  states  that  sometimes  he  finds  all  of 
these  gastric  troubles  combined,  but  glycerin  in  nearly  all  cases 
relieves  them.  In  some  cases,  too,  it  removes  pain  and  vomiting, 
probably  like  charcoal,  by  preventing  the  formation  of  acrid  acids, 
which  irritate  delicate  and  irritable  stomachs. 

Glycerin  does  not  prevent  the  digestive  action  of  pepsin  and 
hydrochloric  acid;  and  hence,  while  it  prevents  the  formation  of 
wind  and  acidity,  probably  by  checking  fermentation,  it  in  no  way 
hinders  digestion.  He  administers  a  drachm  to  two  drachms  either 
before,  with,  or  immediately  after  food.  It  may  be  given  in  water, 
coffee,  tea,  or  lemon  and  soda  water.  In  tea  and  coffee  it  may 
replace  sugar,  a  substance  which  greatly  favors  flatulence,  as, 
indeed,  does  tea  in  many  cases.  In  some  cases  a  cure  docs  not 
occur  till  the  lapse  of  ten  days  or  a  fortnight. 

Acute  Inflammation  of  the  Bladder. — Ten  grains  of  bicar- 
bonate of  soda  in  a  half  ounce  of  an  infusion  of  uva  ursi  (bearberry, 
kinnikinic,  foxberry)  every  two  hours  will  relieve  acute  inflammation 
of  the  bladder  immediately. 

To  Prevent  Worms. — A  teaspoonful  of  salt  dissolved  in  a  tea- 
cupful  of  water  is  a  good  remedy  to  prevent  worms  in  children, 
taken  at  night  before  retiring. 

Intestinal  Worms,  in  Children  Chiefly. — Thread  worms  are 
killed  by  an  infusion  of  quassia,  1  drachm  to  3^  pint  of  water,  with 
a  drachm  or  two  of  common  salt  added  and  given  as  an  injection,  or 
a  drachm  of  tincture  of  muriate  of  iron  to  J^  pint  of  water  may  be 
used.  This  should  be  repeated  daily  till  tlicre  is  a  cure.  The 
large  round  worm  is  best  killed  by  santonin,  i — J  grain  for  a  child, 
double  that  for  an  adult. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  83 

Tapeworm  Cure. — Give  eight  grains  of  salicylic  acid  every  hour, 
until  five  or  six  doses  have  been  taken,  then  give  a  good  big  dose 
of  castor  oil.     This  is  said  to  be  very  effective.  Half  dose  for  children. 

Remedy  for  Tapeworm. — Bernard  Persh  recommends:  Cro- 
ton  oil,  one  drop,  chloroform  one  drachm,  glycerin  one  ounce.  To 
be  taken  in  the  morning,  fasting,  and  without  preliminary  prepara- 
tions.    It  is  not  disagreeable  to  take,  and  operates  promptly. 

Hemorrhoids. — (Ointment).  Muriate  Cocaine,  20  grains; 
Morph.  Sulph.,  5  grains;  Atrop.  Sulph,  4  grains;  Pulv.  Tannin,  20 
grains;  Vaselin,  1  ounce;  01.  Rose,  q.  s.  M.  Sig. — Apply  after  each 
evacuation  of  bowels.  Of  course,  contents  of  bowels  should  be  kept 
in  soluble  condition. 

Internal  Piles. — (Suppositories).  Chrysarobin,  20 grains;  Iodo- 
form 6  grains;  Ext.  Belladonna;,  10  grains;  Cacao  Butter,  6  drachms. 
M.  Sig. — For  ten  suppositories.     One  each  day. 

By  substituting  vaseline  for  cacao  butter  the  same  formula  makes 
an  excellent  ointment  for  external  piles. 

Application  of  formaldehyde  and  glycerin,  equal  parts,  is 
stated  to  be  an  excellent  remedy  for  fistula. 

Common  white  lead,  the  same  as  used  by  painters,  is  said  to 
be  a  very  satisfactory  remedy  for  piles  when  applied  locally. 


DYSPEPSIA 

The  principal  diijestive  act  carried  on  in  the  stomach  is  the 
solution  of  the  nitrogenous  foods,  such  as  the  gluten  of  wheat  and 
lean  meat.  This  takes  place  under  the  influence  of  a  ferment — 
pepsin — secreted  by  glands  in  the  walls  of  the  stomach. 

Quick  eating,  overeating,  and  sedentary  habits  are  very 
apt  to  bring  on  disturbance  of  the  digestive  tract,  of  which  dyspepsia 
is  one  of  the  most  prominent  symptoms. 

The  appetite  of  girls  often  inclines  them  to  the  use  of  bread  and 
butter  and  sweets  rather  than  to  a  mixed  diet.  The  remedy  in  this 
case  would  be  an  intelligent  explanation  to  them  of  the  need  of  the 
system  for  a  mixed  diet  of  meat,  vegetables,  and  farinaceous  food, 
the  scant  use  or  entire  avoidance  of  tea  or  coffee,  combined  with 
abundant  outdoor  exercise  and  active  games  which  favor  the  increase 
of  appetite. 


84  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

No  one,  without  studying  the  case,  can  prescribe  for  dyspepsia, 
because,  in  order  to  prescribe,  it  is  necessary  first  to  know  what  has 
caused  it. 

Those  who  send  out  circulars  and  advertisements,  professing 
to  be  able  to  prescribe  particular  foods  for  all  diseases,  are  absolute 
fakers  and  frauds,  and  should  be  carefully  avoided. 

Only  the  competent  physician  who  studies  the  case  can  ascer- 
tain the  real  cause  of  the  dyspepsia,  and  suggest  those  changes  in 
diet  which  are  best  suited  to  remove  the  evil.  In  many  cases 
dyspeptics  may  get  some  help  by  selecting  the  food  that  experience 
has  shown  the  stomach  will  tolerate,  and  by  eating  slowly,  with 
complete  mastication. 

A  careful  chewing  of  foods,  especially  those  of  a  starchy  or 
fibrous  nature,  cannot  be  too  highly  valued.  People  who  eat  meat 
alone  need  not  be  so  particular  about  it  because  meat  digests  very 
well  even  if  not  so  finely  comminuted  as  is  required  for  starchy  and 
fibrous  materials. 

The  food  of  the  growing  child  should  be  sufficiently  abundant 
to  supply  his  activity  and  his  growth.  Naturally,  the  growing  child 
needs  more  food  according  to  his  weight  than  the  grown  person, 
because  he  must  not  only  sustain  his  condition,  but  also  increase  his 
tissues  very  rapidly. 

Care  should  also  be  taken  in  selecting  the  food  of  those  who  have 
advanced  in  life,  because  here  the  digestive  powers  are  not  so  vigor- 
ous, and  it  is  necessary  to  secure  nutrition  and  at  the  same  time 
avoid  overeating. 

The  invalid  of  course  requires  special  food,  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  disease  and  the  condition  of  the  digestive  organs,  but 
the  competent  physician  is  the  best  person  to  look  after  these 
matters. 

Draught  to  Promote  the  Appetite. — Compound  tincture  of 
gentian,  half  an  ounce;  sal  volatile,  half  a  tcaspoonful;  cinnamon 
water,  one  ounce;  compound  tincture  of  cardamoms,  one  tcaspoon- 
ful.    Mix.     The  draught  to  be  taken  an  hour  before  a  meal. 

In  flatulent  dyspepsia,  three  drops  of  oil  of  cajuput  on  a  piece 
of  sugar  or  crumb  of  bread,  taken  frequently,  is  worth  all  the  other 
antifermentatives  put  together.  It  is  not  only  antiseptic  but 
agreeable. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  85 


NERVOUS  DYSPEPSIA 

Those  persons  who  use  their  brains  much,  and  who  have 
but  little  tone  or  power  to  their  stomachs,  should  above  all  things 
avoid  purgatives;  much  of  the  natural  distress  which  this  class  of 
dyspeptics  feel,  is  caused  by  the  large  intestine  becoming  weakened, 
dislocated,  and  filled  up  with  offending  matters  which  there  is  not 
strength  to  remove.  In  such  cases,  it  is  important  that  the  patient 
do  less  work  with  his  head,  and  more  with  his  muscles. 

Riding  on  horseback  is  an  excellent  exercise.  Hard-trotting 
horses  are  not  good  ones  for  invalids  to  ride.  A  galloping  horse 
is  the  best  for  such  a  person.  Half  an  hour  daily  for  a  nervous 
dyspeptic  in  a  movement  cure  will  work  wonders. 

The  diet  should  be  plain  and  nutritious.  It  will  not  do  to 
overload  the  stomach,  yet  as  much  food  as  can  be  digested  well 
should  be  taken.  Mastication  should  be  slow  and  thorough.  Such 
invalids  are  apt  to  eat  too  fast.  It  is  generally  best  to  omit  the 
dessert. 

Fruit  is  often  condemned  by  the  nervous  dyspeptic.  We  are 
sure,  however,  that  it  is  not  always  the  fruit  which  is  at  fault,  but 
the  way  of  using  it.  Let  it  be  taken  in  the  morning,  and  before  any- 
thing else  is  eaten,  if  possible;  at  first,  take  small  quantities  to 
accustom  the  stomach  to  it. 

Avoid  fine  bread,  vegetables,  and  pastry;  also  tea,  coffee,  and 
tobacco.  Omit  the  supper,  or  at  least,  let  conversation  at  the  table 
be  much  and  eating  little. 

A  sltz  bath  at  bed  time  is  very  serviceable  if  there  is  a  disposition 
to  sleeplessness,  as  sleep  is  very  necessary.  Patients  can  not  have 
too  much  sleep. 

If  mental  labor  is  performed,  let  it  be  done  between  9  in  the 
morning  and  1  p.m. 

The  after-dinner  nap  may  be  useful,  providing  it  does  not  in- 
terfere with  sleep  at  night,  in  which  case  an  hour  of  quiet  and  rest  is 
better. 

The  habit  of  drugging  for  this  disease  with  all  sorts  of  quack 
nostrums  is  very  absurd.  The  grand  rule  should  be  to  live  naturally 
and  happily,  and  throw  medicines  to  the  dogs,  and  nine  cases  out  of 
ten  the  sufferer  will  get  well. 


86  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

GENEPvAL  OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  TREAT- 
MENT OF  ORDINARY  FORMS  OF 
INDIGESTION 

When  there  is  malaise,  sleeplessness,  and  general  misery 
from  large  or  indigestible  meals  taken  into  an  exhausted  stomach, 
the  sense  of  weakness  making  the  patient  suppose  he  needs  more 
food  and  stimulants,  and  so  increasing  the  mischief,  give  mild 
laxatives  occasionally,  hydrochloric  or  nitrohydrochloric  acid  before 
meals,  and  digestible  food  in  moderate  quantities,  avoiding  heavy 
suppers.  This  will  soon  set  all  to  rights.  Sometimes  a  small  dose 
of  bicarbonate  of  soda  or  sal  volatile  a  short  time  before  food  is  more 
effectual;  the  alkalies  causing  a  flow  of  gastric  juice. 

Indigestion  from  Failing  Glands  as  in  Old  Age. — Attend  to 
the  condition  of  the  teeth,  so  that  food  may  be  properly  chewed;  use 
mineral  acids,  but,  above  all,  pepsine. 

Of  Pepsine  and  its  Uses. — One  grain  of  pepsine  dissolves  100 
grains  of  boiled  white  of  egg,  or  3  or  4  grains  will  dissolve  a  small 
mutton  chop.  Pig's  pepsine  is  the  best.  It  is  indicated  wherever 
gastric  juice  is  deficient  either  from  old  age  or  exhausting  maladies, 
as  typhoid  fever. 

The  most  healthful  food  hurriedly  eaten  and  immediately 
followed  by  work  which  engages  the  whole  physical  strength  or  the 
mental  forces  is  much  worse  than  a  meal  of  poor  food  eaten  leisurely 
and  followed  by  an  interval  of  rest.  To  eat  sparingly  and  eat  very 
slowly  will  in  time  secure  a  good  digestion. 

Dyspeptics  should  wear  warm  clothing,  especially  flannel 
next  the  skin.  In  hot  weather  or  warm  climates  reduce  the  quantity 
of  meat  eaten,  instead  of  stimulating  the  appetite  by  curry  and 
alcohol. 

Acute  Indigestion. — Many  people  in  seemingly  perfect  health 
liave,  after  eating  heartily,  been  taken  with  acute  indigestion  and 
died  within  ten  minutes.  The  explanation  is  that  the  food  has 
caused  fermentation  in  the  stomach.  These  gases  have  expanded 
the  walls  of  the  stomach  and  have  crowded  the  heart,  so  that  the 
heart  stops  beating.  But  this  would  seldom  or  never  occur  with 
the  heart  of  normal  size.  When  death  occurs  in  this  manner  the 
lieart  is  usually  found  to  be  enlarged.  Enlargement  of  the  lieart 
is  caused  by  valvular  tubes  in  the  heart.  These  valves  do  not  work 
promptly  and  the  heart  enlarges  as  a  natural  consequence. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  87 

Some  People  are  Liable  to  Attacks  of  Acute  Indigestion. 

Where  such  is  the  case  remedies  should  ever  be  on  hand.  A  hot 
stimulant,  a  drink  of  ginger  tea  or  something  similar  is  helpful,  and 
applications  of  hot  cloths  to  the  stomach,  but  the  most  reliable 
would  be  a  stomach  pump,  which  is  not  difficult  of  operation. 
Often  this  stomach  pump  when  inserted  allows  the  gases  to  escape 
from  the  stomach  and  gives  immediate  relief  without  anything  being 
removed  from  the  stomach. 

In  cases  of  atony  or  sluggishness  of  the  stomach,  either  from 
debility  or  mental  causes— such  as  anxiety,  overwork,  etc. — it  is 
best  treated  by  such  remedies  as  relieve  the  general  condition  ot  the 
alimentary  canal. 


HEARTBURN  AND  WATER-BRASH 

Heartburn,  or  Cardialgia,  consists  of  a  painful  sensation  of  heat 
running  up  in  paroxysms  from  the  pit  of  the  stomach  to  the  fauces. 
When  this  sensation  is  accompanied  by  the  ejection  of  a  watery-like 
fluid,  it  is  called  pyrosis,  or  water-brash.  The  two  affections  are  the 
one  and  the  same  disease,  the  latter  being  the  severer  development 
of  it. 

Its  distinguishing  characteristics  are  a  burning  heat  in  the 
epigastrium,  with  a  sense  of  suffocation,  as  if  a  cloud  of  smoke 
was  filling  the  passages  in  its  journey  from  the  stomach  to  the 
mouth,  followed  by  the  vomiting,  or  rather  the  eructation  of  a  thin 
watery  fluid,  resembling  saliva,  but  usually  insipid  and  tasteless, 
and  described  by  the  patient  as  being  cold. 

The  paroxysms  usually  come  on  in  the  morning  and  forenoon, 
when  the  stomach  is  empty,  and  last  for  a  considerable  length  of 
time.  The  first  symptoms  of  their  approach  is  a  severe  pain  at  the 
pit  of  the  stomach,  with  a  sense  of  constriction,  as  if  the  stomach 
were  drawn  towards  the  back.  The  pain  is  increased  by  raising 
the  body  to  an  erect  posture,  and  therefore  the  body  is  bended  for- 
ward. The  pain  is  often  very  severe,  but  passes  away  with  the 
discharge  of  the  liquid. 

When  the  pain  is  not  very  great,  alkalies — such  as  carbonate 
of  soda,  chalk,  and  magnesia — afford  considerable  temporary  relief. 
They  do  not  act  by  neutralizing  acid,  as  people  generally  beUeve; 
but  by  blunting  the  sensitiveness  of  the  oesophageal  and  gastric 
nerves,  just  as  lime-water  soda,  borax,  etc.,  will  allay  the  pain  of 
the  skin  in  cutaneous  diseases  or  an  irritable  blister. 


88  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

There  is  no  positive  evidence  that  there  ever  is  an  over-secretion 
of  acid  in  the  stomach,  or  that  the  stomach  is  pained  by  the  acidity 
of  its  contents;  and,  besides,  these  drugs,  when  in  large  doses,  give 
relief  even  where  alkahne  and  neutral  matters  are  ejected.  They 
are,  in  fact,  anodynes;  and,  like  all  anodynes,  they  have  the  incon- 
venience of  requiring  the  frequent  augmentation  of  the  dose  to  keep 
up  the  same  degree  of  efficiency.  Given  merely  as  palliatives, 
alkalies  contribute  but  little  toward  a  cure.  If  intended  to  produce 
the  latter  result,  their  administration  must  be  much  more  frequent 
than  the  paroxysms  demand. 

Of  palliatives  to  excessive  pain,  the  best  is  opium,  because  it  is 
the  best  known  and  the  most  manageable.  It  relieves  the  immediate 
pain  and  spasm;  and,  when  combined  with  an  astringent,  as  kino  or 
catechu,  gives  a  tone  to  the  stomach  and  oesophagus  that  certainly 
is  a  step  toward  a  cure.  The  subnitrate  of  bismuth  is  also  an  ex- 
cellent remedy,  and  it  has  only  failed  in  acquiring  a  character  equal 
to  its  merits  because  people  content  themselves  with  too  small  doses. 
It  is  true  that  the  ordinary  quantity  of  ten  or  twelve  grains  is  often 
sufficient;  but  very  often  it  is  not,  and  then  half  a  drachm,  or  even 
a  drachm,  may  be  given  without  danger,  and  frequently  with  the 
best  of  results. 

To  Make  Seidlitz  Powders. — Rochelle  salts  two  drachms,  soda 
bicarbonate  two  scruples;  put  these  into  a  blue  paper,  and  thirty- five 
grains  tartaric  acid  in  a  white  paper. 

THE  DAILY  CALORIC  REQUIREMENT 

Man  at  hard  muscular  work  requires  1.2  the  food  of  a  man  of 
moderately  active  muscular  work. 

Man  with  light  muscular  work  and  boy  15-16  years  old  require 
0.9  the  food  of  a  man  at  moderately  active  muscular  work. 

Man  at  sedentary  occupation,  women  at  moderately  active  work, 
boy  13-14,  and  girl  15-16  years  old  require  0.8  the  food  of  a  man  at 
moderately  active  muscular  work. 

Woman  at  light  work,  boy  12,  and  girl  13-14  years  old  require 
0.7  the  food  of  a  man  at  moderately  active  muscular  work. 

Boy  10-11  and  girl  10-12  years  old  require  0.6  the  food  of  a  man  at 
moderately  active  muscular  work. 

Child  6-9  years  old  requires  0.5  the  food  of  a  man  of  moderately 
active  muscular  work. 

Child  2-5  years  old  requires  0.4  the  food  of  a  man  at  moderately 
active  muscular  work. 

Child  under  2  years  old  requires  0.3  the  food  of  a  man  at  moder- 
ately active  muscular  work. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  89 


HOW  TO  ESCAPE  NERVOUSNESS 

Nervousness  is  Nervous  Weakness. — The  principal  sign  of  a 
feeble  nervous  organization  is  an  excessive  degree  of  irritability  of 
one  or  more  of  the  organs  of  the  body.  If  the  nervous  system  be 
weal:,  the  orp;ans  to  which  the  nerves  are  distributed  will  also  be 
weak,  and  a  weak  organ  is  always  an  irritable  one. 

It  takes  very  little  to  throw  such  an  organ  out  of  its  orderly 
course  of  action.  Some  slight  cause  or  other  acting  on  a  "nervous " 
brain  creates  such  a  degree  of  irritability  that  its  possessor  feels 
as  if  he  would  like  to  "jump  out  of  his  skin,"  or  he  may  be  thrown 
into  a  paroxysm  of  intense  emotional  disturbance,  or  a  sick  head- 
ache, an  attack  of  hysteria,  or  even  a  more  severe  disorder  may 
result.  A  "nervous"  eye  or  ear  is  annoyed  by  unusual  or  persistent 
lights  or  sounds;  a  "nervous"  heart  palpitates  and  flutters  after 
slight  mental  or  bodily  exertion;  a  "nervous"  stomach  is  irritated 
by  food  which  a  healthy  baby  could  easily  digest,  and  the  condition 
known  as  "nervous  dyspepsia"  is  induced;  and  a  "nervous"  spine 
to  specify  no  further,  causes  derangements  of  nearly  all  the  organs 
of  the  body.  To  cure  these  various  disorders  is  often  difficult  and 
sometimes  impossible.  To  prevent  them  even  in  persons  predis- 
posed to  nervousness  is  comparatively  an  easy  matter. 

The  whole  hygiene  of  the  subject  is  embraced  in  the  sentence — 
Strengthen  the  jiervous  system. 

The  First  Prescription  is  an  Ample  Supply  of  Pure,  Fresh 
and  Cold  Air, — The  nerves  will  always  be  weak  if  the  greater  part 
of  the  day  and  night  be  passed  in  close,  ill-ventilaLed  and  over- 
heated apartments.  The  nerves  more  than  the  rest  of  the  body, 
to  be  properly  nourished,  require  a  full  supply  of  oxygen. 

An  overheated  apartment  always  enervates  its  occupants.  It  is 
no  uncommon  thing  to  find  rooms  heated  in  winter  by  an  under- 
ground furnace  up  to  90  degrees.  It  is  no  surprising  circumstance, 
therefore,  to  find  the  woman  who  swelters  all  day  in  such  a  tempera- 
ture and  adds  to  it  at  night  by  superfluous  bed-clothing,  cross  and 
disagreeable  from  little  cvery-day  troubles  that  would  scarcely 
ruffle  her  temper  if  she  kci)t  her  room  at  65  degrees  and  opened  the 
windows  every  now  and  then. 

Take  Sufficient  Physical  Exercise  in  the  Open  Air. — When 

you  feel  irritable,  tremulous,  fretful,  fidgety,  and  unable  to  con- 
centrate your  thoughts  on  the  veriest  trifle,  take  a  long  walk,  or 
split  half  a  cord  of  wood.  Even  the  extreme  nervousness  of  lunatics 
is  best  quieted  by  bodily  labor. 


90  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Habitual  living  in  ah  over-heated  atmosphere  reduces  the 

vessels  of  the  skin  to  a  state  of  chronic  dilatation,  so  that  the  blood 
gets  chilled  every  time  it  is  exposed  to  cold  air.  For  this  reason  the 
people  who  live  in  Russia,  where  the  houses  are  kept  at  fever-heat 
all  the  winter,  are  excessively  susceptible  to  chills.  They  have  to 
wear  overcoats  all  the  summer,  as  a  rule. 

Eat   Plenty   of   Well-Cooked   and   Nourishing   Food. — The 

nerves  cannot  be  kept  healthy  on  slops.  Gruels,  panadas  and  teas 
are  well  enough  in  their  way,  but  the  nerves  require  for  their  proper 
nourishment  undiluted  animal  and  vegetable  food;  as  a  rule  the 
former  should  predominate.  Meat-eaters  are  rarely  troubled  with 
nervousness.  Americans  eat  more  vegetables  than  any  other 
well-to-do  people,  and  they  are  probably  the  most  ''nervous"  nation 
on  the  face  of  the  earth. 


Neurasthenia. — Drugs  play  a  subsidiary  part  in  the  cure  of 
neurasthenia;  though,  of  course,  on  the  other  hand,  for  occasional 
uses  they  are  indispensable.  Constipation  often  yields,  with  but 
little  drug  assistance,  to  skilful  abdominal  massage.  The  so-called 
"tonics"  are  useful  incidentally.  In  convalescence  the  advance 
from  occupation  to  occupation,  from  exercise  to  exercise,  needs  the 
greatest  discretion,  for,  in  contrast  with  hysteria,  a  chance  excess  of 
work  may  undo  the  advantage  of  many  weeks'  improvement.  A 
very  large  part  of  convalescent  occupation  should  be  manual  rather 
than  mental  work. 

Treatment  of  Cramps  in  the  Leg. — Many  persons  of  both 
sexes  are  greatly  troubled  with  cramps  in  one  or  both  their  legs.  It 
comes  on  suddenly,  and  is  very  severe.  Most  people  jump  out  of 
bed  (it  nearly  always  comes  on  either  just  after  going  to  bed  or 
while  undressing)  and  ask  some  one  to  rub  the  leg.  There  is  nothing 
easier  than  to  make  the  spasm  let  go  its  hold,  and  it  can  be  accom- 
plished without  sending  for  a  doctor,  who  may  be  tired  and  in  need 
of  a  good  night's  rest.  When  with  a  patient  who  is  subject  to 
cramp,  always  advise  him  to  provide  himself  with  a  good  strong  cord.  A 
long  garter  will  do  if  nothing  else  is  handy.  When  a  cramp  comes 
on,  take  the  cord,  wind  it  around  the  leg  over  the  place  that  is 
cramped,  take  an  end  in  each  hand  and  give  it  a  sharp  pull — one 
that  will  hurt  a  little.  Instantly  the  cramp  will  let  up,  and  the 
sufferer  can  go  to  bed  assured  that  it  vnll  not  come  on  again  that 
night.  For  the  permanent  cure,  give  about  six  or  eigh*.  cells  of 
galvanic  battery,  with  the  negative  pole  applied  over  the  spot  that 
cramps,  and  the  positive  pole  over  the  thigh.  Give  it  for  ten 
minutes,  and  repeat  every  week  for  one  month. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  91 

Elevation  of  the  head  of  the  bed,  by  placing  under  each  leg 
a  block  of  the  thickness  of  two  bricks,  is  stated  to  be  an  effective 
remedy  for  cramps.  Patients  who  have  suffered  at  night,  crying 
aloud  with  pain,  have  found  this  plan  to  afford  immediate,  certain, 
and  permanent  relief. 

Relief  of  Cramp  in  the  Legs. — Stretch  out  the  heel  of  the  leg  as 
far  as  possible,  at  the  same  time  drawing  up  the  toes  as  far  as  pos- 
sible.    This  will  often  stop  a  tit  of  the  cramp  after  it  has  commenced. 

A  large  proportion  of  all  cramps  and  pains  can  be  relieved  by 
water  of  proper  temperature  and  intelligently  applied. 

SLEEP,  SWEET  SLEEP 

There  are  many  simple  and  harmless  means  by  which  sleep 
may  be  induced  without  the  assistance  (?)  of  narcotics.  For  in- 
stance, a  pleasantly  warm  bath,  into  which  some  soothing  compound, 
such  as  eucalyptus  oil,  has  been  mixed,  or  a  cup  of  hot  milk,  sweet- 
ened and  flavored  plentifully  with  freshly-grated  nutmeg  (the  seda- 
tive properties  of  which  are  well  known),  or  a  wine-glass  full  of 
homemade  cowslip  wine,  taken  the  last  thing  before  composing  one- 
self for  sleep,  will  often  be  found  as  efficacious  a  remedy  for  insomnia 
as  a  strong  drug. 

A  large  bowl  of  water  placed  as  near  as  possible  to  the  head  of  a 
sick  person  will  induce  sleep,  and  healthy  people  will  often  sleep 
better  if  shallow  vessels  filled  with  water  are  placed  about  the  room. 

To  prevent  dreaming  avoid  eating  a  heavy  supper,  take  plenty 
of  exercise  and  sleep  in  a  cool  room.  Unless  you  are  positively  ill 
for  the  want  of  sleep,  you  should  certainly  avoid  the  use  of  narcotics, 
which  should  only  be  taken  under  the  direction  of  a  competent 
physician. 

Apples  and  Insomnia. — A  medical  writer  declares  that  the 
best  thing  just  before  going  to  bed,  is  to  eat  an  apple.  The  apple 
excites  the  action  of  the  liver,  promotes  sound  and  healthy  sleep, 
and  thoroughly  disinfects  the  mouth.  This  is  not  all;  the  apple  pre- 
vents indigestion  and  throat  diseases. 

To  Secure  a  Good  Night's  Sleep  in  Hot  Weather. — Pour  cold 
water  into  a  hot-water  bag  until  it  is  about  half  full.  Screw  the  top 
partly  on,  then  with  one  hand  squeeze  the  upper  part  of  the  bag 
until  all  the  air  has  been  excluded;  tighten  the  top,  and  a  soft, 
pliable  pillow  wiJl  result.  Wrap  this  in  a  towel  or  sUp  the  bag  inside 
a  pillow  case,  and  lay  your  head  so  that  it  will  be  at  the  back  of  the 
neck. 


92  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  a  person  is  troubled  with  insomnia,  a  bandage  soaked  in 
cold  water  and  laid  across  the  eyes  and  temples  will  afford  almost 
immediate  relief  and  bring  rest  to  him  if  he  is  suffering  from  no  other 
ailment. 

An  exceedingly  nervous  person  who  cannot  sleep  may  often 
be  quieted  and  put  to  sleep  by  being  rubbed  with  a  towel  wrung  out 
of  hot  salted  water.  Frequently  a  change  from  a  warm  bed  to  a 
cool  one  will  tend  to  quiet  a  nervous  person  and  make  him  drowsy. 

For  "nerve"  pillows,  fill  with  hops,  dried  catnip  or  mint  leaves, 
clover  tops,  sweet  grasses  and  scented  foliage  gathered  from  herbs 
and  shrubs.  Have  them  well  dried  in  the  shade  and  all  stems  and 
sticks  removed  before  using. 

Remedy  for  Nightmare. — Slight  derangement  of  the  digestive 
or  other  functions  are  often  sufficient  to  occasion  a  temporary 
delirium  in  children,  commenced  during  the  sleep  and  continued 
during  the  waking.  The  suffering  is  great  and  the  condition  an 
alarming  one  to  parents  and  friends.  The  mental  excitement  is  so 
intense  as  to  resist  the  impressions  from  without  to  an  extraordinary 
degree.  It  is  here  that  the  association  of  smell  can  be  used  more 
effectually  than  any  others  to  break  up  the  morbid  brain.  A  good 
whiff  of  cologne  almost  always  brings  the  little  sufferer  back  to  its 
ordinary  world;  or  a  little  ammonia  may  be  used.  But  an  odor 
which  is  agreeable  is  probably  more  effective  than  one  which  is 
merely  pungent.  It  is  a  common  observation  that  mental  associa- 
tions are  awakened  by  odors  more  than  by  impressions  of  any  other 
sense.  In  the  case  of  nightmare  the  strong,  familiar  smell  seems  to 
break  up  the  train  of  abnormal  mental  excitement. 

Jaundice. — "Ordinary  jaundice"  is  a  trifling  ailment,  due 
generally  to  some  obstruction  of  the  common  gall-duct,  either  by 
temporary  thickening  of  the  coats  or  by  a  plug  of  mucus.  (State  of 
things  comparable  to  one's  nose  being  stopped  by  a  cold  in  the 
head.)  Or  in  more  serious  cases  it  follows  an  attack  of  gall-stones, 
but  there  is  the  possibility,  though  not  a  very  great  one,  of  the 
jaundice  being  the  first  symptom  of  acute  atrophy  of  the  liver, 
which  is  surely  fatal.  Therefore  always  keep  that  possibility  in 
mind. 

The  treatment  of  ordinary  jaundice  is  by  restricted  diet,  small 
occasional  doses  of  blue  pills,  and  a  saline  mixture  with  hydrochloric 
acid.  Counter-irritation  over  the  liver  by  mustard  or  hydrochloric 
acid,  1  part  of  strong  acid  to  2  of  water  applied  with  a  rag.  Beware 
of  burning  the  linen. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  93 

A  Cure  for  Jaundice. — Take  two  oranges,  and  pare  them  very 
thin;  then  chop  the  peel  as  fine  as  suet,  to  which  put  two  quarts  of 
cold  water,  and  simmer  them  till  reduced  to  a  pint  and  a  half. 
Strain  and  bottle  it.  Of  this  mixture  take,  for  three  successive 
mornings,  half  a  pint,  which  will  perfectly  cure  the  patient. 

Biliousness.  —  Bilious  people  are  generally  capable  of  head- 
work,  and  are  often  long  lived.  Diet  should  be  chiefly  farinaceous, 
and  moderate  meals  taken.  Blue  pill  is  most  valuable,  but  should 
be  a  dernier  ressort.    Try  first  efifervescing  citrates  and  tartrates. 

Many  persons  are  relieved  by  taking  six  or  ten  tumblers  of 
fluid  in  the  course  of  twenty-four  hours  for  two  or  three  days  at  a 
time.  Soda  water,  seltzer,  or  Apollinaris  water  may  be  ordered,  or 
plain  hot  water.     Avoid  purgatives. 

A  simple  remedy  for  slight  attacks  of  biliousness  is  a  little 
lemon  juice  and  baking  soda.  Squeeze  the  juice  of  a  small  lemon 
into  half  a  glass  of  cold  water,  then  stir  in  a  pinch  of  soda  and  drink 
efifervescing. 

Washing  Out  the  Stomach. — A  Maryland  doctor  employs  the 
method  very  extensively  in  some  cases  of  dyspepsia.  The  following 
is  the  modus  operandi:  A  soft  red  rubber  tube  is  passed  gently 
down  into  the  stomach,  quite  to  the  pylorus;  with  this  is  connected 
about  a  yard  of  common  flexible  tubing  and  a  glass  funnel,  which 
is  held  on  a  level  with  the  patient's  breast,  and  tepid  water  is  poured 
slowly  into  the  funnel  until  a  sensation  of  fullness  is  experienced. 
The  funnel  is  then  depressed  to  the  level  of  the  waist,  and  the  fluid 
allowed  to  siphon  out.  The  process  is  repeated  until  the  water 
returns  quite  clear.     (For  diagram  see  page  128.) 


SEASICKNESS  AND  VOMITING 

Hold  your  breath  and  contract  your  abdominal  muscles  is  the 
remedy  for  sea-sickness  suggested  by  Dr.  E.  P.  Thurstan,  who  speaks 
from  experience. 

Violent  Vomiting. — Woodbury  says  that  a  Seidlitz  powder 
divided  in  four  parts,  one  every  fifteen  minutes,  has  better  results 
in  violent  vomiting  than  anything  else  he  knows  of. 

Relief  for  Vomiting  of  Pregnancy. — Menthol,  15  grains; 
Alcohol,  5 fl.  drachms;  Distilled  water,  q.  s.  ad.,  5  fl.  ounces.  M.  Sig. 
— Tablespoonful  every  hour. 


94  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Dr.  Miller  recommends  Worcester  sauce  in  teaspoonful  doses, 
given  without  water,  for  preventing  and  curing  sea-sickness.  It 
should  be  given  every  three  hours  until  the  stomach  can  tolerate 
and  retain  its  contents.  Avoid  stimulants,  but  give  small  quantities 
of  good  beef-tea  with  cayenne  pepper  in  it.  This  remedy  is  easily 
obtained  on  most  steamers,  pleasant  to  take,  and  has  often  succeeded 
when  all  other  means  have  failed. 

Dr.  Andreer  has  found  resorcine  very  useful  in  sea-sickness  on 
transatlantic  voyages.  A  single  dose  of  from  ten  to  twenty  grains, 
given  early  before  vomiting,  has  actually  often  removed  the  giddiness 
and  nausea,  and  enabled  the  patient  to  sleep  comfortably.  In  per- 
sistent and  worse  cases  larger  doses  two  or  three  times  a  day  produce 
excellent  results.  No  ill  effects  were  observed,  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, the  treatment  appeared  to  promote  the  appetite  and  digestion. 

It  is  frequently  asked  how  much  mustard  should  be  given 
if  it  is  desired  to  make  a  patient  sick  in  case  of  croup  or  poisoning. 
A  tablespoonful  of  ground  mustard  to  a  tumbler  of  warm  water  is 
the  rule.  Salt  is  almost  as  efficacious  as  mustard  if  the  latter  is  not 
on  hand.  If  the  first  tumbler  has  no  effect,  give  more,  and  tickle 
the  back  of  the  throat  with  a  feather. 


DIARRHEA 

Is  a  Very  Ck)nunon  Disease  in  Summer-Time.  Cholera  is 
nothing  more  than  exaggerated  diarrhea.  When  a  man  has  died  of 
diarrhea,  he  has  died  of  cholera,  in  reality. 

It  may  be  well  to  know,  that  the  first,  the  most  important,  and 
the  most  indispensable  item  in  the  arrest  and  cure  of  looseness  of  the 
bowels,  is  absolute  quietude  on  a  bed;  nature  herself  always  prompts 
this  by  disinclining  us  to  locomotion.  The  next  thing  is,  to  eat 
nothing  but  common  rice,  parched  like  coffee,  and  then  boiled,  and 
taken  with  a  little  salt  and  butter. 

Drink  little  or  no  liquid  of  any  kind.  Bits  of  ice  may  be  eaten 
and  swallowed  at  will.  Every  step  taken  in  diarrhea,  every  spoon- 
ful of  liquid,  only  aggravates  the  disease. 

If  locomotion  is  compulsory,  the  misfortune  of  the  necessity 
may  be  lessened  by  having  a  stout  piece  of  woolen  flannel  bound 
tightly  round  the  abdomen,  so  as  to  be  doubled  in  front,  and  kept 
well  in  its  place. 

In  some  cases  of  diarrhea  5  grains  of  bismuth,  with  an  equal 
quantity  of  saccharated  pepsin,  every  two  hours,  acts  like  magic. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  95 

Infantile  Diarrheas. — Thomas  recommends:  Lactic  Acid,  1 
drachm;  Simple  Syrup,  5  drachms;  Water,  S14  drachms.  M.  Sig. 
One  drachm  every  quarter  to  half  hour  after  meals. 

Hot  Lemonade  for  Diarrhea. — Some  people  prefer  hot  lemonade 
to  the  usual  form,  but  it  is  only  recently  that  we  have  seen  it  recom- 
mended in  diarrhea.  Dr.  Vigouroux  recommends  a  glass  of  hot 
lemonade  every  hour,  or  half  hour,  as  an  easy,  agreeable,  and  efficient 
treatment  for  diarrhea. 

Diarrhea  "Mixture. — Loomis  recommends:  Tr.  Opium,  J^-^  fl. 
ounce;  Tr.  Rhubarb,  HA-  ounce;  Co.  Tr.  Catchu  (U.  S.  P.),  1  fl. 
ounce;  01.  Sassafras,  20  minims.;  Co.  Tr.  Lavender,  enough  to  make 
4  fi.  ounces.     M.  Sig. — One  teaspoonfvd  every  four  hours  for  adults. 

The  medicinal  qualities  of  nutmegs  are  worthy  of  considerable 
attention,  on  account  of  their  value  in  the  treatment  of  diarrhea, 
many  cases  quickly  yielding  to  the  administration  of  half  a  drachm 
in  milk.  Sleeplessness  may  be  effectually  relieved  by  them  when 
opium  fails  and  chloral  is  not  advisable.  They  are  also  a  sedative 
in  delirium  tremens,  and  can  be  given  with  safety  and  marked 
benefit. 

Blackberry  and  Wine  Cordial. — It  is  recommended  as  a  delight- 
ful beverage  and  an  infallible  specific  for  diarrhea  or  ordinary  disease 
of  the  bowels: 

Receipt. — To  half  a  bushel  of  blackberries  well  mashed,  add  a 
quarter  of  a  pound  of  allspice,  two  ounces  of  cinnamon,  two  ounces  of 
cloves;  pulverize  well,  mix,  and  boil  slowly  until  properly  done;  then 
strain  or  squeeze  the  juice  through  homespun  or  flannel,  and  add  to 
each  pint  of  the  juice  one  pound  of  loaf  sugar;  boil  again  for  some 
time,  take  it  off,  and  while  cooling,  add  half  a  gallon  of  the  best 
Cognac  brandy. 

iijose. — For  an  adult,  half  a  gill  to  a  gill;  for  a  child,  a  teaspoonful 
or  more,  according  to  age. 

Orange  peel  tea,  sweetened  with  loaf  sugar  and  used  as  a  com- 
mon drink  for  two  or  three  days  will  cure  chronic  diarrhea. 

While  these  mild  cases  of  dyspepsia  in  the  early  stages  offer  a 
grateful  field  for  therapeutic  activity  it  is  far  otherwise  with  the 
severer  forms  of  decomposition  and  intoxication.  These  not  in- 
frequently present  difficult  problems  to  the  clinician  as  with  the 
rather  prolonged  starvation  which  is  indicated  the  general  condition 
becomes  so  enfeebled  that  the  danger  of  collapse  is  imminent. 


96  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Eggs  are  considered  one  of  the  best  remedies  for  dysentery. 
Beaten  up  slightly  with  or  without  sugar,  they  tend  to  lessen  the 
inflammation  of  the  stomach  and  intestines  and  by  forming  a 
temporary  coating  on  these  organs  enable  nature  to  resume  her 
healthful  sway  over  the  body.  Two  or  at  most  three  eggs  a  day 
would  be  sufficient  in  ordinary  cases;  and  since  the  egg  is  not  merely 
a  medicine  but  food  as  well,  the  lighter  the  diet  other  than  this, 
and  the  quieter  the  patient  keeps,  the  more  certain  and  rapid  is  the 
recovery. 

Summer  complaint  in  children  is  usually  caused  by  milk 
containing  large  numbers  of  bacteria  which  are  found  in  great  num- 
bers in  the  stable  manure  from  healthy  cows,  and  gain  entrance  to 
the  milk  because  of  dirty  flanks  and  a  dirty  tail  which  is  allowed  to 
flip  at  will  during  the  process  of  milking.  Dirty  hairs,  straws,  flies, 
and  hands  add  their  share  of  these  highly  objectionable  organisms. 

Treatment  of  Summer  Diarrheas  in  Children. — The  milder 
cases  of  diarrhea  which  belong  to  the  non-inflammatory  type  of  the 
stage  of  dyspepsia,  Heiman  says,  require  little  else  but  initial 
catharsis,  consisting  of  castor-oil  or  milk  of  magnesia,  and  abstention 
from  milk  for  a  period  of  twenty -four  or  forty-eight  hours. 

After  cessaticwi  of  the  diarrhea,  diluted  skim  milk,  barley  water 
and  sugar  may  be  given  in  gradually  increasing  quantities.  In 
most  of  the  cases  astringents  are  tmnecessary;  if,  _however,  the 
diarrhea  persists  after  the  thorough  removal  of  the  decomposed  food 
product  from  the  intestinal  tract,  5  to  10  grains  of  bismuth  in 
mucilage  of  acacia  at  intervals  of  one  to  two  hours  is  indicated. 

If  abdominal  pain,  cramps,  restlessness  or  watery  diarrhea  is 
present,  five  or  ten  drops  of  paragoric  may  be  added. 

A  simple  and  effectual  cure  for  dysentery  is  prepared  as 
follows:  Take  one  tablespoonful  of  salt  and  two  tablespoonfuls  of 
vinegar;  mix  and  pour  over  them  half  a  pint  of  hot  water.  Let  get 
cool  and  then  driak  a  wineglassful  of  this  mixture  every  half  hour 
untU  relief  is  obtained.  This  dose  is  for  adults.  For  children  take 
one  teaspoonful  of  salt,  one  of  vinegar  and  a  teacupful  of  water. 

In  chronic  gastric  catarrh  it  is  beneficial  to  drink  hot  water 
before  meals,  and  salt  is  said  in  most  cases  to  add  to  the  good  effect 
produced. 

Absolute  rest  and  diet  will  do  more  for  gastric  ulcer  than  any 
other  form  of  treatment ;  medicine  is  of  no  avail  without  it. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  97 

Gastro-intestinal  catarrh,  with  a  disordered  condition  of  the 
nervous  system  and  considerable  depression,  is  the  usual  result 
following  the  ingestion  of  poisonous  fungi.  In  treating  these  cases 
the  stomach  and  bowels  must  be  thoroughly  emptied,  and  the  prom- 
inent symptoms  are  to  be  relieved  according  as  they  occur.  After 
free  vomiting  and  purgation  have  been  induced,  rest  in  bed,  with 
stimulants  and  warmth,  are  beneficial. 

Chronic  Gastric  Catarrh. — The  so-called  chronic  dyspeptics 
suffer  from  chronic  gastric  catarrh.  In  this  disease  the  gastric 
mucus  membrane  is  heavily  coated  with  a  grayish- white  material, 
consisting  largely  of  cast-off  epithelium;  the  odor  from  the  buccal 
cavity  is,  from  this  cause,  more  or  less  offensive,  and  the  mucosa 
beneath  the  coating  is  red  and  hyperaesmic.  According  to  the 
stage  of  its  existence,  the  mucous  surfaces  may  be  smooth  or  atro- 
phic, and  there  may  be  an  accompanying  atrophy  of  the  peptic 
glands  and  an  increase  of  connective  tissue  between  them. 

The  treatment  should  be  largely  dietary.  All  pastry,  sweets  or 
bulky  food  should  be  avoided.  Give  milk,  broths,  raw  eggs,  toasted 
bread,  lightly  cooked  meat  and  baked  potatoes. 

HEATING  AND  VENTILATION  OF  HOUSES 

The  demand  for  ventilation  arises  from  the  fact  that  rapid 
circulation  of  air  is  impeded  by  the  inclosure,  and  that  our  own 
breathing  and  the  lights  and  fires  use  up  oxygen  and  supply  car- 
bonic gas,  while  organic  or  decayable  particles  are  also  more  or  less 
furnished  to  the  air. 

Air  which  has  six  parts  by  volume  of  this  gas  to  10,000  parts 
of  air  has  reached  the  extreme  limit  for  breathing  purposes,  not 
only  because  of  the  carbonic  acid  it  contains,  but  because  in  human 
habitation  this  is  denotive  also  of  an  amount  of  organic  matter 
exhaled  from  the  lungs  which  ought  not  to  be  again  inbreathed. 
The  expired  air  has  5  per  cent,  more  of  carbonic  acid  than  the  in- 
spired, and  has  lost  slightly  more  than  that  of  oxygen. 

It  also  brings  out  with  it  a  various  amount  of  gaseous  and  ani- 
mal matter,  quite  decomposable.  In  order  to  dilute  this  or  drive 
it  out  air  must  get  in  generally  at  a  rapidity  of  not  more  than  23^ 
feet  per  second,  since  faster  than  this  a  draft  is  created  which, 
except  in  warm  weather,  would  be  too  much  for  most  persons. 

If  the  room  is  too  small  or  too  near  air-tight,  or  has  too  many 
people  in  it,  or  one  person  in  it  for  too  long  a  time,  or  has  other 
sources  of  air  contamination  besides  the  person,  its  air  will  become 
foul  faster  than  it  is  possible  to  bring  in  fresh  air  without  a  draft. 


98  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

One  lamp  or  gas  jet,  or  two  candles  in  a  room,  burn  out  oxygen 
and  introduce  carbonic  acid  gas  as  fast  as  a  person,  and  most  of  our 
larger  gas-jets  or  lamps  are  equivalent  in  this  regard  to  three  persons. 
The  foul  air  produced  by  lights  has  no  organic  matter,  but  it  dimin- 
ishes our  supply  of  oxygen,  and  so  lowers  vitality  and  often  pro- 
duces headache  and  weariness  and  ultimate  ill-health. 

Gas  stoves  without  a  chimney  consume  oxygen,  and  produce 
carbonic  acid  gas  rapidly. 

Iron  stoves  raised  to  a  high  heat  not  only  do  this,  but  when 
nearly  red-hot  the  gases  inside  the  furnace  are  readily  diffused 
through  the  iron  into  the  room,  and  especially  carbon  oxide,  which 
is  much  more  injurious  than  carbon  dioxide  or  carbonic  acid  gas. 

The  common  fireplace  helps  much  to  ventilate  a  room,  since 
it  draws  to  it  the  air  of  the  room,  which  causes  fresh  air  to  come  in 
from  without;  while  it  thus  heats  the  air  of  the  room  it  secures  a 
supply.  It  is,  however,  very  expensive  if  we  seek  to  heat  the  whole 
room,  since  there  is  so  much  waste  of  heat. 

Where  a  furnace  ia  used,  situated  outside  of  a  room,  if  it  has  a 
proper  fresh-air  box  it  supplies  fresh  heated  air  to  the  room.  If 
this  is  brought  in  without  dust  or  too  much  dryness,  it  is  a  good 
kind  of  heated  air. 

Where  hot-air  pipes  are  used  they  do  not  introduce  fresh  air 
into  the  room,  but  simply  heat  the  air  of  the  room,  pure  or  foul,  as 
it  may  be,  unless,  instead  of  direct  heat,  these  pipes  are  so  arranged 
in  coils  somewhere  as  to  allow  fresh  air  to  be  intr»duced  and  flow 
over  them,  and  then  flow  into  the  room,  and  so  supply  fresh  air 
heated  by  pipes  of  hot  air.  For  this  method  of  indirect  heating,  the 
pipes  need  to  be  kept  very  warm. 

Hot-air  pipes  or  steam-pipes  are  on  the  same  principle,  the 
choice  depending  mostly  on  cost  or  on  some  questions  as  to  the  degree 
of  heat  to  be  maintained  in  the  pipes,  and  the  effect  as  to  moisture, 
etc. 

Fresh  Air  in  the  House. — Few  Americans  have  reached  the 
point  of  having  anything  like  a  proper  amount  of  good  air  in  their 
living  rooms. 

Every  room  occupied  day  or  night  by  a  human  being  should 
be  so  thoroughly  ventilated  that  the  air  is  constantly  changing.  In 
the  average  house  this  can  be  accomplished  only  by  keeping  a  door 
or  a  window  opened,  and  this  should  be  done  in  winter. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  99 

Shut  a  man  up  in  a  small  closet  from  which  all  fresh  air  is 
excluded,  and  in  a  short  time  lie  will  be  unconscious  or  dead.  Shut 
anyone  up  for  several  hours  in  a  badly  ventilated  room,  and  his 
vitality  suffers  sadly.  He  literally  starves  for  oxygen,  and  his 
bodily  health  is  impaired  as  a  direct  consequence. 

To  provide  for  a  steady  stream  of  pure  air  into  the  room,  aU 
that  is  necessary  is  to  raise  the  window  eight  or  ten  inches  from  the 
bottom;  this  gives  plenty  of  space  for  fresh  air  to  enter  the  room 
now,  with  no  chance  of  drafts. 

It  may  be  said  that  foul  air  rises  to  the  top  of  the  room,  and 
that  this  simple  scheme  provides  no  outlet  for  the  bad  air.  The 
fact  is  that  the  foulest  air  docs  not  rise  to  the  top  of  a  room.  Heated 
air  does  rise,  but  the  foulest  part  of  a  room's  atmosphere  is  the 
carbonic  acid  gas  that  is  given  oflf  from  the  lungs  at  every  breath. 
This  gas,  technically  known  as  carbon  dioxide,  is  heavier  than  air, 
sjid  consequently  sinks  to  the  bottom  of  the  room,  rising  only  as  it 
ftccumulates  at  the  bottom  and  needs  more  room  at  the  top. 

HARDENING  OF  THE  ARTERIES 

Arteriosclerosis  in  one  form  or  another  is  quite  common,  and 
probably  even  more  common  than  we  realize,  owing  to  the  fact 
1  hat  it  is  hard  to  diagnose  until  well  advanced. 

The  causes  are  many,  but  those  most  common  are  too  hard 
work,  improper  diet,  and  the  us«  of  alcoholics.  The  last  two  are 
(tertainly  preventable  causes,  and  the  first  is  often  so. 

Severe  physical  exertion,  especially  if  begun  early  in  life  and 
l^ng  continued,  is  most  certainly  a  serious  factor.  It  is  this  which 
in  the  cause  of  the  disease  in  so  many  hard-working  men. 

Improper  diet,  and  this  includes  improper  methods  of  eating 
I)roper  foods,  is  the  most  common  cause  in  those  who  do  not  do 
Jiard  manual  labor.  Alcohol  may  be  a  factor  in  either  case.  Women 
are  not  by  any  means  exempt,  but  it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the 
disease  is  seen  far  less  often  in  women  than  in  men. 

As  regards  diet,  any  food  or  any  method  of  eating  which  tends 
t,o  cause  autotoxacmia  tends  to  cause  arteriosclerosis.  Excessive 
meat-eating  should  be  avoided,  and  this  includes  fish,  eggs,  cheese, 
and  milk.  Foods  rich  in  lime,  extractives,  and  volatile  oils  do  harm; 
meats,  for  example,  are  rich  in  extractives;  onions,  cabbage,  and  all 
food  having  a  high  odor  of  this  sort  when  cooked  contain  volatile  oils. 


100  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Lime  is  found  in  many  foods,  but  perhaps  hard  water  is  the 
most  dangerous  thing  in  this  line. 

Simple,  properly  cooked,  and  properly  eaten  foods,  what  we 
might  call  natural  foods  and  natural  eating,  are  entirely  harmless. 

Diet  is  one  of  the  most,  if  not  the  most,  important  factor  in 
prevention  and  in  a  cure,  so  far  as  a  cure  is  possible.  Bear  in  mind, 
however,  that  this  does  not  mean  starvation. 

One  of  the  factors  in  arteriosclerosis  is  a  weakening  of  the  coats 
of  the  arteries.  To  prevent  this,  proper  nutrition  is  necessary; 
hence  starvation,  by  preventing  such  nutrition,  would  actually  tend 
to  make  matters  worse. 


DIPHTHERIA 

Diphtheria  is  caused  by  ochlesis,  or  crowd  poison. 

It  is  an  emergency — "an  event  or  combination  of  circumstances 
which  calls  for  immediate  action  or  remedy." 

It  is  at  first  a  local  disease,  resembling  the  animal  poisons — 
snake  bite,  mad  dog  bite.  Properly  treated  in  this  stage,  it  is  one 
of  the  most  curable  of  diseases. 

It  is  contagious  and  infectious,  and  the  poison  may  retain  its 
vitality  from  three  months  to  two  years. 

This  poison  is  not  identical  with  that  of  measles,  croup,  or 
scarlet  fever,  nor  is  it  intimately  related  to  them. 

Diphtheria  may  occur  sporadically:  any  small  overcrowded, 

ill-ventilated  house  may  prove  a  diphtheria  factory. 

Its  period  of  incubation  is  from  twelve  hours  to  several  da3^. 

Directly,  temperature  none;  indirectly,  much.  Crowding  can 
occur  in  any  temperature ;  practically  it  occurs  most  in  cold  weather. 

In  the  local  stage  there  is  but  one  indication — to  destroy  the 
false  membrane  already  formed;  prevent  further  formation  and 
spread.     For  this  only  two  remedies  are  required  as  a  rule. 

In  the  stage  of  systemic  infection  there  are  two  indications — 
the  foregoing,  and  to  support  the  system.  A  remedy  or  combina- 
tion, internally,  with  food  and  stimulants  meets  this  indication. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  101 

An  abundance  of  pure  air  is  the  first  requisite  in  treatment. 

Being  an  asthenic  disorder,  and  prone  to  heart  failure,  rest 
in  the  recumbent  position  and  warmth  to  the  extremities  assist  in 
the  cure. 

The  physician  must  not  only  prescribe,  he  must  administer 
the  local  treatment,  when  present,  and  see  to  it  that  food  and 
medicine  are  administered  punctually  in  his  absence. 

The  physician  should  visit  severe  cases  three  times  a  day;  all 
cases  at  least  once  a  day  for  the  first  nine  days. 

The  physician  should  not  despair,  though  called  late.  I  have 
seen  patients,  apparently  moribund,  restored  by  fresh  air  and  food 
alone. 

Diphtheria,  caused  by  diphtheria  bacillus,  may  be  conveyed 
by  milk  to  patrons,  if  the  dairyman  has  a  case  of  diphtheria  at  his 
home,  and  does  not  exercise  great  care  in  changing  clothing  and 
washing  after  handling  the  patient.  For  a  person  to  handle  milk 
at  the  same  time  that  he  is  associated  with  a  diphtheria  patient  is 
poor  practice. 

Where  diphtheria  prevails  in  a  family,  the  patient  or  patients, 
if  there  are  two  or  three  attacked  at  the  same  time,  should  be 
isolated,  confined  to  one  room,  and  all  the  children  not  affected 
should  be  kept  in  some  remote  part  of  the  house,  or  removed  from 
the  house  entirely  if  practicable.  In  either  case,  whether  any  of 
the  children  are  removed  from  the  house  or  not,  every  room,  in- 
cluding the  one  occupied  by  the  patient,  should  be  fumigated  with 
sulphur  two  or  tliree  times  daily. 

Nature  will  attain  the  mastery  over  her  enemy  if  the  strength 
be  kept  up  and  the  deposits  arrested. 

With  these  points  to  guide  us  we  know  that  the  arrest  of  the 
disease  and  nutritious  support  are  our  great  aim.  To  succeed  in 
this,  use  a  respirator  made  of  the  ordinary  shape  and  size,  the  front 
being  minutely  perforated.  Inside  of  the  respirator  two  or  three 
perforated  plates  are  inserted,  between  which  place  common  tow 
(not  cotton  wool);  then  drop  on  each  of  the  layers  of  tow  ten  to 
twenty  drops  of  a  solution  of  carbolic  acid,  creosote,  and  glycerine. 
Should  tlie  patient  tire  of  these,  use  turpentine  or  iodine.  Place 
the  respirator  over  the  mouth,  and  keep  it  continually  applied. 


102  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

The  next  idea  is  to  provide  the  patient  with  warm  moist  air. 
To  do  this  have  two  kettles  of  water  kept  boihng  on  the  fire;  attached 
to  the  spouts  of  the  kettles  have  an  elastic  tube  of  an  inch  calibre, 
at  the  end  of  which  is  a  spray-like  nozzle,  which  put  immediately 
under  the  mouth  of  the  patient.  By  this  means  disinfectant 
remedies  are  carried  moist  to  the  throat. 

As  a  sedative  to  the  pain  there  is  nothing  so  comfortable  to  the 
patient.  Previous  to  this  take  care  to  give  an  active  purge,  which 
usually  removes  offensive  stools  of  effete,  poisonous  matter. 

Internally  give  aconite  in  frequent  small  doses — two  to  three 
minims  of  the  tincture;  at  the  same  time  freely  supporting  the 
strength  with  milk,  cream  and  eggs  with  or  without  brandy,  and 
beef  tea  ad  libitum. 

As  a  drink  recommend  patients  to  take  as  much  chlorate  of 
potash  in  solution  as  they  can  without  vomiting.  If  this  is  objected 
to,  advise  the  juice  of  lemon  to  be  taken — by  many  thought  to  be  a 
specific  for  diphtheria. 

Cracked  Ice  for  Invalids. — There  is  one  thing  that  nurses  ap- 
parently do  not  seem  to  comprehend,  and  that  is  the  value  of  cracked 
ice  in  cases  where  a  prolonged  drink  of  any  fluid  is  next  to  an  impos- 
sibility or  a  most  dangerous  thing. 

Diphtheria  tends  to  kill  by  sufifocation  and  by  its  poison  ex- 
hausting the  vital  energy.  Suffocation  may  be  either  accidental, 
or  as  a  natural  result  of  the  throat  affection — accidental  if,  when  the 
membrane  is  thrown  off,  it  becomes  lodged  in  the  larynx;  natural  if 
the  swelling  inside  the  throat  shuts  off  the  supply  of  air  to  the  lungs. 

Dr.  Blondel's  Diphtheria  Treatment. — Every  hour  the 
patient  takes  a  tablespoonful  of  a  solution  of  benzoate  of  sodium, 
fifteen  grains  to  the  ounce,  and  at  the  same  time  one-sixth  of  a  grain 
of  sulphide  of  calcium  in  sirup  or  granule.  In  addition  to  this 
the  throat  is  thoroughly  sprayed  every  half  hour  with  a  ten  per 
cent,  solution  of  benzoate  of  sodium.  This  is  done  religiously  at  the 
regular  intervals,  day  and  night,  but  no  other  local  treatment  is 
employed.  No  attempt  is  made  to  dislodge  the  false  membrane, 
and  no  penciling  nor  painting  of  the  fauces  is  resorted  to.  Tonics 
are  given  and  antipyretics  are  used  when  occasion  "calls  for  them. 
The  nourishment  consists  of  beef  juice,  tender  rare  meat,  milk,  etc., 
but  bread  and  all  other  articles  which  may  cause  irritation  of  the 
throat  are  forbidden.  The  sick  room  is  k'.^'pt  filled  with  steam  from 
a  vessel  containing  carbolic  acid,  turpentine,  and  oil  of  eucalyptus 
in  water. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  103 


SORE  THROAT 

This  generally  soon  passes  ofif,  but  if  the  patient  is  in  a  low 
state  of  health,  or  if  exposed  to  oflfensive  emanations,  or  lives  in  a 
low,  unhealthy  neighborhood,  it  may  become  ulcerated  or  covered 
with  white  patches,  often  mistaken  for  diphtheria. 

Diet  should  be  generous,  and  the  throat  may  be  brushed  with 
equal  parts  of  glycerine  and  solution  of  perchloride  of  iron,  or  of 
glycerine  of  tannin.  Quinine,  and,  if  necessary,  brandy,  should 
be  given  internally.  In  mild  cases  chlorate  of  potash  tablets  are 
useful  to  suck,  or  alum,  or  capsicum  gargles,  or  common  salt,  a 
dessertspoonful  to  Y2  pint  of  water. 

Caution  Regarding  Chlorate  of  Potash  Lozenges. — Phe- 
nomena indicating  changes  in  the  blood  have  been  noticed  after  the 
abuse  of  chlorate  of  potash  lozenges,  in  the  treatment  of  "sore 
throat."  The  lozenges  usually  contain  five  grains  of  the  salt  in 
each;  and  their  constant  sucking  may  easily  result  in  the  ingestion 
of  an  absolutely  poisonous  amount  of  chlorate  of  potash. 

For  simple  hoarseness,  take  a  fresh  egg,  beat  it  and  thicken 
with  pulverized  sugar.  Eat  freely  of  it,  and  the  hoarseness  will 
soon  be  relieved. 

For  cankered  throat,  sore  mouth  and  so  forth  use  borax  and 
honey ;  drink  sage  or  slippery  elm  tea. 

A  gargle  of  hot  claret  often  afifords  much  relief  in  cases  of  acute 
sore  throat. 

Nitrate  of  potassium,  in  one  grain  doses,  thoroughly  triturated 
with  sugar  of  milk,  and  given  every  two  hours,  will  produce  great 
relief  in  cases  of  acute  bronchitis,  characterized  by  a  sharp,  short, 
dry,  hacking  cough. 

If  the  throat  is  husky  from  dust  or  weariness  a  gargle  made  of 
a  teaspoonful  of  spirits  of  camphor  in  a  glass  of  water  gives  a  delicious 
tone  and  vigor  to  the  larynx,  palate,  bronchial  tubes  and  all  those 
other  sensitive  organs  that  exist  in  that  region. 

If  the  throat  becomes  badly  swollen  and  very  painful,  apply 
a  poultice  of  flaxseed  upon  which  you  have  poured  a  little  warm 
lard  and  laudanum. 


104  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

For  a  sore  throat  and  congested  lungs  take  a  glass  of  hot 
flaxseed,  add  the  juice  of  two  lemons,  sweeten  to  taste,  and  let 
boil  in  a  double  boiler  for  one  hour,  then  strain. 

Always  rub  the  neck,  throat  and  chest  with  alcohol  after 
applying  either  compress  or  poultice,  before  exposing  it  to  the  air. 
This  will  prevent  taking  more  cold. 

T©  inhale  steam  from  boiling  herb  tea  is  often  a  great  relief 
when  the  throat  is  too  sore  to  gargle.  Use  a  mixture  of  the  old- 
fashioned  herbs  if  you  have  them — sage,  boneset,  catnip,  hops  and 
horehound. 

Sometimes  when  a  choking  sensation  accompanies  the  sore 
throat,  the  quickest  way  to  relieve  it  is  to  induce  vomiting.  The 
tincture  of  lobelia  given  in  teaspoonful  doses  is  best  for  this  purpose. 
It  should  be  kept  in  every  home,  more  especially  where  there  are 
children,  for  it  helps  so  quickly  in  all  cases  of  croup. 

When  one  has  a  tendency  to  hoarseness  do  not  muffle  the 

throat  with  furs  as  it  only  makes  it  more  tender. 

Dashing  the  outside  of  the  throat  with  cold  water  several 
times  a  day  is  excellent  to  overcome  huskiness;  gargling  with  cold 
water  or  with  lukewarm  water  with  a  little  salt  in  it  is  also  good. 

The  best  and  safest  agents  to  abort  a  cold  are  aromatic  spirits 
of  ammonia  and  sweet  spirits  of  niter. 

The  best  combination  for  mild  counter-irritation  over 
chest  or  abdomen  is  turpentine  and  soap  liniment,  equal  parts, 
sprinkled  on  warm  flannel — with  or  without  oilsilk  or  thin  rubber 
tissue  covering. 

Hoarseness  of  public  singers  and  speakers  is  improved  by 
taking  ten  drojis  of  dilute  nitric  acid  in  plenty  of  sweetened  water 
three  or  four  times  daily.  It  is  said  that  more  immediate  relief  may 
be  obtained  Vjy  putting  three  or  four  drops  on  a  square  of  loaf  sugar 
and  allowing  it  to  dissolve  slowly  on  the  tongue,  inhaling  it  into  the 
lungs. 

Sore  Throat  Remedy.  Where  the  inflammation  is  rheumatic 
in  character,  a  spray  of  the  following  is  useful:  Morphine,  4  grains; 
Acidi  Carbolici,  Yi  drachm;  Acidi  Tannici,  Yi  drachm ;  Glycerini,  4 
ounces;  Aquae  Dest,  4  ounces.  M.  Sig. — Use  as  a  spray  in  the 
throat,  about  a  teaspoonful  at  a  time. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  105 

In  Cases  of  Quinsy. — Take  of  carbolic  acid,  one  gramme, 
camphor,  one  gramme;  glycerine,  fifty  grammes;  water,  fifty 
grammes.     There  should  be  three  or  four  local  applications  a  day. 

Bleeding  from  the  mouth  should  be  treated  by  giving  the 
patient  ice  to  suck  and  making  him  lie  still.  This  blood  may  come 
either  from  the  stomach  or  lungs. 


BRONCHITIS 

In  acute  bronchitis  the  symptoms  resemble  those  of  catarrh, 
only  that  they  are  more  referred  to  the  chest;  there  is  more  decided 
cough  and  there  is  a  sense  of  oppression  and  tightness.  The 
difficulty  of  breathing,  too,  is  more  marked,  and  there  is  at  first  a 
scanty  expectoration  which  in  the  course  of  the  disease  becomes 
more  profuse  and  frothy;  and,  as  the  case  is  terminating  favorably 
it  may  change  again  in  character,  becoming  thick  and  yellow. 
Sometimes  it  is  streaked  with  blood. 

Acute  bronchitis  often  occurs  in  young  children,  in  whom 

it  is  a  most  dangerous  disease.  In  adults  it  is  not  so  dangerous;  but 
nevertheless,  the  greatest  care  is  required,  both  in  the  treatment  and 
in  guarding  against  exposure. 

When  a  person  is  attacked  with  bronchitis,  he  should  confine 
himself  to  his  bedroom,  the  temperature  of  which  is  to  be  maintained 
by  means  of  a  fire  at  about  sixty-five  degrees,  and  for  the  first  few 
days  he  should  abstain  altogether  from  spiritous  and  fermented 
liquors  unless  used  to  taking  them  to  excess  during  health  and  then 
he  may  be  allowed  a  little  wine  negus,  or  warm  whisky  and  water; 
but  these  are  always  better  withheld  as  long  as  the  patient  is  doing 
well  and  does  not  complain  of  extreme  prostration. 

When  the  acute  symptoms  have  passed  away,  and  it  is 
evident  that  the  patient  is  suffering  from  the  exhaustive  effects  of 
the  disease,  champagne  and  other  effervescent  and  light  wines 
may  be  given  somewhat  freely. 

In  cases  of  chronic  bronchitis,  with  difficult  breathing  and 
scanty  expectoration,  the  use  of  banana  juice  has  been  highly 
praised.  The  juice  is  prepared  by  cutting  up  the  bananas  in  small 
pieces  and  putting  them  with  plenty  of  sugar  into  a  closed  glass  jar. 
The  latter  is  then  placed  in  cold  w-ater,  which  is  gradually  made  to 
boil.  When  the  boiling-point  is  reached,  tlie  process  is  complete.  Of 
the  sirup  so  made,  a  teaspoonful  every  hour  is  the  proper  dose. 


106  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Inhalations  for  Bronchitis. — Put  a  few  drops  of  nitric  acid 
in  boiling  water  and  inhale  the  fumes  for  five  to  ten  minutes. 
Bronchial  irritation  is  lessened  with  a  corresponding  salutary  effect 
upon  the  mucus  membranes.  One  observer  advises  the  placing 
about  the  room  of  the  sufferer  from  chronic  bronchitis  five  or  six 
pieces  of  filter  paper  which  have  been  soaked  in  the  following:' 
Menthol,  Eucalyptol,  aa  3ij ;  Oil  Turpentine,  Spirits  Juniper,  aa  3v. 

"  I  know  of  no  text-book  which  as  yet  teaches  the  danger 

of  the  common  infectious  cold,  no  medical  school  in  which  it  is 
impressed  on  the  student,  no  hospital  in  which  such  cases  are  not 
retained  in  the  common  ward,  no  health  board  which  has  yet  dared 
to  limit  the  right  of  the  individual  to  spread  the  infection  of  his 
coryza  among  the  public."  (Dr.  T.  S.  South  worth  in  a  late  article 
on  common  infectious  colds.) 

Dr.  Stark  is  emphatic  in  the  belief  that  to  give  quinine  to  a 
person  suffering  from  influenza,  with  severe  headache,  furred  tongue 
and  acute  pain  in  the  limbs  merely  adds  to  his  discomfort.  He 
cuts  the  disease  short  in  two  days,  he  says,  by  giving  a  mercurial 
purge,  followed  by  sodium  salicylate,  potassium  bicarbonate  and 
tincture  of  nux  vomica. 


COUGH  CURES 

Coughs  may  be  much  alleviated,  and  dry  throats  cured,  by 
glycerine  and  lime-juice  taken  at  night.  The  glycerine  should  be 
diluted. 

In  severe  paroxysms  of  coughing,  either  from  coughs,  colds,  or 
consumption,  one  or  two  tablespoonfuls  of  pure  glycerine,  in  either 
milk  or  hot,  rich  cream,  will,  it  is  said,  afford  almost  instant  relief. 

Balsam  for  Coughs  and  Colds. — Tincture  of  tolu  and  com- 
pound tincture  of  benzoin,  of  each  one  ounce,  rectified  spirit,  two 
ounces;  mix.     The  dose  is  a  teaspoonful. 

Cure  for  a  Cough. — A  patient,  who,  for  nearly  two  months, 
could  not  pass  a  night  in  quiet  without  large  doses  of  laudanum, 
has  been  cured  of  a  most  harassing  cough  by  suet  boiled  in  milk. 

An  excellent  remedy  for  a  cough  is  made  by  slicing  two 
lemons  thin  and  adding  to  them  ten  cents'  worth  of  whole  flaxseed, 
ten  cents'  worth  of  licorice  root,  ore  gill  cf  water,  and  a  little  sugar. 
Boil  until  quite  thick  and  strain. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  107 

Ordinary  grated  horse-radish,  eaten  at  frequent  intervals 
during  the  day  and  in  connection  with  food  at  the  table,  if  food  is 
eaten  at  all,  has  been  found  remarkable  efficacious  in  banishing  the 
distressing  cough  that  frequently  lingers  after  all  the  other  symptoms 
of  the  "grip"  have  gone. 

Cough  Remedy. — Extract  Yerba  vSanta  fl.  1  ounce;  Extract 
Grindeliaj  Robustaj  fl.  1  ounce;  Syrup.  Pruni  Virginiana;,  ad.  3 
ounces.     M.  Sig. — A  teaspoonful  every  two  or  three  hours. 

Brown  Mixture  For  Coughs.  —  Dissolve  one  ounce  of  gum 
arabic,  one  ounce  of  licorice,  and  one  ounce  of  brown  sugar- 
candy,  in  half  a  pint  of  boiling  water.  When  cold,  add  one  ounce 
of  elixir  of  paregoric,  and  one-half  an  ounce  of  antimonial  wine. 
Take  a  tablespoonful  of  this  mixture  whenever  the  cough  is  trouble- 
some, and  upon  going  to  bed. 

Pressing  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  ear,  right  in  front  of  the 
ear,  may  stop  coughing.  Pressing  very  hard  on  the  top  of  the 
mouth,  inside,  is  also  said  to  be  a  means  of  stopping  a  cough,  and  it 
may  be  said  that  here,  as  well  as  in  many  other  cases,  the  will-power 
has  very  much  to  do,  it  having,  as  has  been  repeatedly  demonstrated, 
immense  power  over  matter  and  its  conditions. 

A  Syrup  for  Colds  and  Coughs. — Take  18  ounces  of  perfectly 
sound  onions,  and  after  removing  rind  make  several  incisions,  but 
not  too  deep.  Boil  together  with  13J^  ounces  of  moist  sugar  and 
2%  ounces  of  honey  in  35  ounces  of  water,  for  three-quarters  of  an 
hour;  strain,  and  fill  into  bottles  for  use.  Give  one  tablespoonful 
of  this  mixture  (slightly  warmed)  immediately  on  attack,  and  then, 
according  to  requirement,  five  to  eight  half  tablespoonfuls  daily. 

For  a  cold  on  the  chest  there  is  no  better  specific  for  most  per- 
sons than  well  boiled  or  roasted  onions.  They  may  not  agree  with 
every  one,  but  to  persons  with  good  digestion  they  will  not  only  be 
found  to  be  a  most  excellent  remedy  for  a  cough,  and  the  clogging 
of  the  bronchial  tubes  which  is  usually  the  cause  of  the  cough,  but 
if  eaten  freely  at  the  outset  of  a  cold,  they  will  break  up  what  prom- 
ised, from  the  severity  of  the  attack,  to  have  been  a  serious  one. 

A  very  old  remedy  for  a  cold  on  the  chest  is  an  onion  poultice, 
which  is  made  by  heating  the  onions  and  putting  them  in  a  muslin 
bag  and  bruising  them.  Lay  the  bag  upon  the  chest  over  night. 
Care  should  be  taken  about  getting  in  a  draught  when  the  poultice 
is  removed  in  the  morning. 


108  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Cough  Mixture. — Take  a  whole  lemon,  cut  it  in  tour  parts; 
add  to  them  half  a  pound  of  white  sugar;  put  them  in  half  a  pint  of 
boiling  water,  and  let  boil  for  ten  minutes.  When  warm,  add  six 
cents  worth  of  paregoric  to  it.  Dose :  Take  half  a  wineglassf ul  when 
the  cough  is  troublesome. 


Aristos  Cough  Mixture. — Simple  syrup,  10  ounces;  syrup  of 
squill,  2  ounces;  camphorated  tincture  of  opium,  2  ounces;  wine  of 
ipecac,  2  ounces;  diluted  sulphuric  acid,  4  drachms;  solution  of 
sulphate  of  morphia,  U.  S.  P.,  4  drachms;  sweet  spirit  of  nitre,  2 
ounces;  tincture  of  sanguinaria,  4  drachms.  Mix  the  different 
ingredients  together  in  the  same  order  as  they  are  written.  The 
dose  is  from  five  drops  to  a  teaspoonful,  three  or  four  times  daily. 


An  excellent  remedy  for  cough  is  made  as  follows:  Take  a 
cup  of  mutton  tallow  and  two  great  spoonfuls  of  spirits  of  turpen- 
tine ;  put  into  the  turpentine  all  the  camphor  gum  that  it  will  dis- 
solve, then  add  to  the  cup  of  tallow,  melted,  mix  thoroughly,  and 
keep  where  you  can  have  it  ready  to  apply  to  the  throat  or  chest 
on  a  cloth  when  needed,  covering  warmly.  This  gives  almost  in- 
stant relief.  It  is  a  remedy  of  one  of  our  best  and  oldest  physicians, 
who  has  saved  many  lives  by  its  use.  It  is  good  for  any  lung 
trouble,  croup,  or  colds. 

Ouiclc  Relief  for  a  Cough.  If  any  member  of  the  family 
coughs  persistently  in  the  night  and  one  happens  to  be  out  of  the 
usual  remedy,  wring  out  a  soft,  thick  flannel  from  water  as  hot  as 
can  be  borne,  brush  lightly  and  quickly  with  a  feather  which  has 
been  plunged  in  turpentine,  and  apply  to  the  chest.  If  the  flesh 
is  very  sensitive,  it  might  be  well  to  rub  well  with  vaseline  or  sweet 
oil  before  making  the  hot  application. 


It  is  in  the  houses  which  are  kept  sealed  tightly,  or  in  which 
there  is  only  "frequent  changing  of  the  air,"  that  colds  and  coughs 
find  secure  lodgment.  Whoever  lives  in  a  closed  house  through  the 
winter  may  be  reasonably  sure  of  a  bad  attack  of  "  tiredness  "  before 
spring.     He  is  poisoned  by  foul  air. 


Pulmonary  consumption  each  year  kills  in  the  United  States 
alone  413,000  persons.  A  timely  application  of  known  scientific 
facts  might  save  all  these  persons  alive;  the  cold-air  cure,  and  return 
to  natural  methods  are  saving  thousands. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  109 

Cough  is  not  an  early  symptom  in  pulmonary  tuberculosis; 

it  is  a  complication  rather  than  a  symptom,  and  may  be  absent 
when  the  tuberculosis  process  is  comparatively  far  advanccl.  It 
is  merely  the  result  of  a  laryngeal  catarrh,  that  may  or  may  not 
complicate  the  tuberculous  process.  Pus  and  mucus  may  remain 
for  hours  in  the  bronchi  without  causing  cough.  The  cough  itself 
produces  a  condition  of  strain  in  the  tissues  surrounding  the  tuber- 
culous focus,  leading  to  exudation  into  the  alveoli,  a  condition 
conducive  to  a  spread  of  the  infection.  Hence  the  treatment  of  the 
cough  is  an  indispensable  element  in  our  care  of  the  patient.  Even 
when  the  sputum  is  plentiful,  we  need  not  hesitate  in  our  endeavors 
to  diminish  the  cough,  since  the  ciliated  epithelium  of  the  air-pas- 
sages is  quite  able  to  transport  this  secretion  into  the  pharnyx, 
whence  it  may  readily  be  removed  by  hawking. 

Symptoms  of  cold  in  the  head  are  quickly  relieved  by  spraying, 
with  witch  hazel,  both  the  throat  and  nasal  passages. 

Treatment  of  Severe  Colds. — During  the  early  stage  while 
there  are  chills,  headache,  slight  cough  and  general  soreness,  a 
moderate  dose  of  quinine  combined  with  Dovers  powder  will  pro- 
duce diaphoresis  and  re-establish  the  systematic  equilibrium. 

Colds  are  a  Foul-Air  Disease.  The  cold  germ  thrives  in  foul, 
too  warm  air,  and  this  truth  cannot  be  made  too  plain  for  the  com- 
munity. It  is  not  generally  understood,  nowadays,  that  the  only 
reliable  cure  for  dread  tuberculosis  is  foimd  in  living  in  the  open  air 
in  winter  as  well  as  in  summer?  Will  a  reasonably  healthy  person 
catch  cold  in  the  abundance  of  cool,  fresh  air  that  offers  the  only 
hope  to  the  weak  lungs  of  the  frail  consumptive? 

Camphor  for  Colds  in  the  Head. — For  coryza.  Dr.  G.  E. 

Dobson  recommends  the  inhalation  of  the  vapor  of  camphor  and 
steam,  the  vapor  being  made  to  come  in  contact  with  the  outer 
surface  of  the  face,  surrounding  the  nose  by  means  of  a  paper  cone 
placed  with  the  narrow  end  downward  in  a  vessel  containing  hot 
water  and  a  drachm  of  coarsely  powdered  or  shredded  camphor. 
If  this  is  continued  ten  or  twenty  minutes  at  a  time,  and  repeated 
three  or  four  times  in  as  many  hours,  a  cure  is  usually  affected. 

Remedy  for  Croup. — Dr.  Lewentaner  recommends  the  following 
in  croup,  having  had  much  success  in  its  treatment:  Rectified 
Oil  of  Turpentine,  1  drachm;  Oil  of  Sweet  Almond,  23/^  drachms; 
Pimple  Syrup,  3  drachms;  Mucilage  of  Acacia,  10  drachms;  Yolk 
of  one  Egg;  Canella  Water,  enough  to  make  3  ounces.  M.  Sig. — A 
toaspoonful  every  hour  for  a  child  ten  years  old. 


110  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Whooping-Cough. — Galisch  has  noticed  that  the  course  of 
whooping-cough  is  more  severe  when  several  children  have  it  to- 
gether than  when  the  child  is  kept  apart  from  other  children  with  it. 
The  sight  of  others  affected  certainly  aggravates  the  nervous  element 
in  the  disease,  and  the  possibility  of  a  new  infection  from  it  cannot 
be  positively  excluded.  He  thinks  that  repeated  infection  is  a 
possible  factor  in  keeping  up  coryza  as  well  as  whooping-cough. 
In  both  affections  he  is  confident  that  much  would  be  gained  by 
measures  to  prevent  accumulation  of  disease  products,  having  the 
child  go  into  a  second  room  and  well  ventilating  the  first,  after  each 
coughing  spasm,  using  a  fresh  handkerchief  each  time  in  coryza. 

Regimen  for  Whooping-Gough.  —  A  frequent  change  of  air 
is  exceedingly  useful  in  whooping-cough,  particularly  short  voyages 
at  sea;  at  the  same  time  flannel  is  to  be  worn  next  the  skin.  Young 
children  should  lie  with  their  heads  and  shoulders  raised,  and 
when  the  cough  occurs  they  ought  to  be  placed  on  their  feet  and  bent 
a  little  forward,  to  guard  against  suffocation.  The  diet  should  be 
light,  and  the  drink  warm  and  mucilaginous. 

Whooping-Cough  Remedy: — Ext.  Cannabias  Indicse,  15  grains; 
Ext.  Belladonnaj,  8  grains ;  Alcohol,  Glycerin  ,  of  each  ad  1  ^  drachms. 
M.  Sig. — Four  or  five  drops  for  a  child  one  year  old ;  one  of  two  years 
old,  five  to  eight  drops,  three  or  four  times  a  day. 

A  Speedy  Cure  of  Whooping-Cough. — Mohn,  a  Norwegian 
physician,  is  reported  to  have  been  able  to  cure  whooping-cough  by 
means  of  inhalations  of  sulphurous  anhydride.  In  the  first  instance 
this  was  done  accidentally  while  disinfecting  some  rooms ;  subse- 
quently it  was  done  by  burning  six  drachms  of  sulphur  per  cubic 
metre  of  space,  the  bedding,  etc.,  being  well  exposed  to  its  influence. 
After  the  room  had  been  closed  for  four  hours,  ventilation  was 
restored,  and  the  children  put  to  sleep  in  the  beds  impregnated  with 
the  sulphurous  vapours.     In  the  morning  the  cough  had  ceased. 

Tincture  of  drosera  (homeopathic)  in  minute  doses,  1-3000 
of  a  drop  evory  three  hours,  and  after  each  paroxysm,  will  moderate 
the  paroxysm  in  forty-eight  hours,  and  cure  in  two  weeks. 

Stimulants,  such  as  brandy,  etc.,  should  never  be  given  in 
any  form  of  bleeding,  even  though  the  patient  should  faint,  unless 
the  cause  of  the  bleeding  is  removed,  as  alcohol  will  only  make  the 
heart  beat  faster  and  cau.se  more  blood  to  flow  from  the  wound. 
This  especially  applies  to  bleeding  from  the  lungs. 

Iodoform  gauze  dipped  in  glycerite  of  tannin  and  used  as  a 
tampon  is  a  valuable  procedure  in  nosebleed. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  111 

Nasal  Haimorrhage. — In  persistent  haemorrhage  from  the  nasal 
cavity,  plugging  the  {josterior  nares  should  not  be  done  until  an  at- 
tempt has  been  made  to  check  the  haemorrhage  by  firmly  grasping 
the  nose  with  the  finger  and  thumb,  so  as  completely  to  prevent  any 
air  from  passing  through  the  cavity  in  the  act  of  breathing.  This 
simple  means,  if  persistently  tried,  will  in  many  cases  arrest  the 
bleeding.  The  haemorrhage  persists  because  the  clot  which  forms 
at  the  rupture  in  the  blood-vessel  is  displaced  by  the  air  being 
drawn  forcibly  through  the  cavity  in  the  attempt  of  the  patient  to 
clear  the  nostrils.  If  this  air  is  prevented  from  passing  through  the 
cavity,  the  clot  consolidates  in  position,  and  the  haemorrhage  is 
checked. 

To  Arrest  Bleeding  of  the  Nose. — Introduce,  by  means  of  a 
probe,  a  small  piece  of  lint  or  soft  cotton,  previously  dipped  in  some 
mild  styptic,  as  a  solution  of  alum,  white  vitriol,  creosote,  or  even 
cold  water.  This  will  generally  succeed;  but  should  it  not,  cold 
water  may  be  snuffed  up  the  nostrils.  Should  the  bleeding  be  very 
profuse,  medical  advice  should  be  procured. 


HAY  FEVER 

Atropine  and  Morphine  in  Hay-Fever. — Dr.  Moorhead  writes 
that  he  has  obtained  relief  from  hay-fever,  his  annual  persecutor 
for  thirty  years,  by  hypodermic  injection  of  one-twentieth  of  a 
grain  of  morphine  and  one-two-hundredth  of  a  grain  of  atropine 
night  and  morning.     The  relief  was  complete. 

A  victim  of  hay  fever  claims  that  he  has  found  a  solution  of  olive 
oil  and  camphor  very  effective.  Prepare  it  by  gently  warming  some 
olive  oil  and  a  small  lump  of  camphor  together  for  several  hours. 
Apply  it  by  oiling  the  inside  of  the  lower  part  of  the  nose.  Dr.  W. 
T.  PhilHps  recommends  belladonna,  which  he  has  found  successful; 
he  gives  the  dose  as  IJ^  minimsof  the  succus  every  hour  till  relieved 
(30  min.  to  3  oz.  of  water). 


ASTHMA 

For  asthma  soak  blotting  paper  in  strong  saltpeter  water;  dry, 
and  burn  at  night. 

The  following  will  be  found  useful  to  inhale  during  an  attack 
of  asthma:  Ether,  one  drachm;  essence  of  turpentine,  four  drachms; 
tincture  of  benzoin,  four  drachms;  balsam  of  tolu,  two  drachms;  mix, 
and  add  a  teaspoonful  to  half  a  pint  of  boiling  water  and  inhale. 


112  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Remedy  for  Asthma. — The  following  is  said  to  be  a  cure  for  the 
distressing  disease,  asthma:  The  ingredients  are:  Sulphur,  one- 
half  ounce;  cream  of  tartar,  one  ounce;  senna,  one  ounce;  aniseed, 
one-half  ounce.  Pulverize  and  thoroughly  mix  the  ingredients, 
and  take  one  teaspoonful  in  about  two  tablespoonfuls  of  molasses 
on  going  to  bed,  or  at  such  time  through  the  day  as  may  suit  the 
patient.  The  dose,  once  a  day,  may  be  diminished  or  increased  a 
little,  as  may  best  suit  the  state  of  the  bowels  of  the  individual. 

Remedy  for  Bronchial  Asthma. — Ammon.  Bromid,  3  drachms; 
Ammon.  lodid,  2  drachms;  Tinct.  Lobeliae,  fl.  1  ounce;  Syrup 
Tolutan,  fi.  3  ounces.  M.  Sig. — One  teaspoonful  every  one,  two  or 
three  hours. 

Inhalation  of  Menthol  in  Asthma. — Dr.  Jones  recommends  a 
20  per  cent,  solution  of  menthol  in  olive  oil  for  inhalation  in  cases  of 
asthma.  In  one  case  in  which  he  tried  it,  all  other  medication  had 
failed.  Auscultation  revealed  hissing  sounds  everywhere.  A  few 
inhalations  of  the  menthol  cut  short  the  attack.  The  only  un- 
pleasant after-effect  was  a  slight  heaviness  in  the  head. 

Treatment  of  Asthma  and  Allied  Conditions. — Dr.  Kayser 
describes  thirteen  cases  of  asthma,  and  allied  conditions,  in  which 
he  found  calcium  chlorid  effectual.  He  ordered  it  in  the  form  of 
20  gm.  calcium  chlorid  (CaCh);  40  gm.  simple  syrup,  and  distilled 
water  to  400  gm.  The  patient  took  a  tablespoonful  of  this  in  milk 
every  two  hours  for  eight  days.  No  untoward  by-effects  were  ob- 
served in  any  instance,  and  the  patients  all  said  that  after  a  day  or  so 
they  could  breathe  and  expectorate  easier  and  their  sleep  was  no 
longer  disturbed.  After  the  third  day  tliere  was  no  further  attacks 
in  all  but  two  cases,  and  the  relief  has  been  permanent  to  date  in 
some.  In  one  case  there  was  a  complicating  heart  defect  but  this 
did  not  interfere  with  the  success  of  the  treatment. 

How  to  take  a  pill,  a  physician  states:  "  Having  noticed,  that  if 
a  person  at  meals  inclined  the  head  backwards,  as  in  laughing, 
while  there  was  food  in  the  mouth,  they  were  pretty  certain  to  be 
strangled  from  'the  food's  going  the  wrong  way,'  I  instructed  those 
of  my  patients  who  had  difficulty  to  swallow  pills,  to  keep  the  head 
in  the  position  they  would  if  eating  and  swallowing  at  the  table — 
that  is,  the  head  inclined  forward,  the  chin  near  the  breast — and 
keep  it  in  that  position.  If  a  small  portion  of  the  saliva  be  on  hand, 
or  a  small  quantity  of  water  taken  after  the  pill  is  put  in  the  mouth, 
it  will  surprise  the  patient  and  gratify  the  doctor  to  witness  the 
facility  with  which  it  will  be  swallowed.  To  direct  the  patient  to 
keep  his  eyes  on  his  toes,  I  have  found  a  help  to  keep  the  head  in 
the  proper  position." 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  113 

Method  for  Ascertaining  the  State  of  the  Lungs. — Persons 
desirous  of  ascertaining  the  true  state  of  their  lungs  are  directed 
to  draw  in  as  much  breath  as  they  conveniently  can;  they  are  then 
to  count  as  far  as  they  are  able,  in  a  slow  and  audible  voice,  without 
drawing  in  more  breath.  The  number  of  seconds  they  can  con- 
tinue counting  must  be  carefully  observed.  In  a  consumption,  the 
time  does  not  exceed  ten,  and  is  frequently  less  than  six  seconds;  in 
pleurisy  and  pneumonia  it  ranges  from  nine  to  four  seconds.  When 
the  lungs  are  in  a  sound  condition,  the  time  will  range  as  high  as  from 
twenty  to  thirty-five  seconds. 

Great  care  should  be  taken  in  administering  remedies  in  the 
form  of  tinctures  which  have  stood  for  a  long  time  in  small  vials 
in  the  family  medicine  closet.  When  the  bottle  happens  to  be 
loosely  corked  the  alcohol  readily  evaporates,  leaving  the  drug  in 
the  form  of  a  concentrated  tincture  the  pharmacopoeial  dose  of 
which  might  produce  very  serious  if  not  fatal  results. 

Patients  recovering  from  other  severe  infectious  disorders, 

of  whatever  nature,  are  always  liable  to  contract  pneumonia  from 
slightest  causes,  as  chilling,  overeating,  undue  exertion  and  nervous 
excitement. 

PNEUMONIA 

Pneumonia  is  Inflammation  of  the  Lungs.  When  the  in- 
flammation is  on  the  lining  of  the  chest,  it  is  pleurisy.  The  two  may 
be  combined. 

Pneumonia  is  a  dangerous  disease,  and  requires  prompt 
action.  It  is  preceded  by  a  chill  from  which  it  is  sometimes  difficult 
to  restore  the  natural  heat.  This  chill  is  followed  by  a  high  fever, 
in  which  the  heart  beats  rapidly. 

Chills  may  come  from  other  causes  than  pneumonia,  but 
unless  sure  of  the  cause  and  sure  that  it  is  not  dangerous,  it  is  safe 
to  suspect  a  coming  pneumonia,  and  to  send  at  once  for  a  physician. 
On  no  account  attempt  to  manage  the  case  without  one. 

An  attack  of  pneumonia  is  often  occasioned  by  getting  into  a 
public  vehicle  after  having  been  excited  by  walking,  and  being  com- 
pelled to  sit  in  the  draft  of  an  open  window. 

To  remain  at  rest  in  any  position  until  a  feeling  of  chilliness 
is  induced,  is  sufficient  to  bring  on  an  attack  of  inflammation  of  the 
lungs,  however  vigorous  and  robust  the  person  may  feel. 


114  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Sitting  still  with  damp  feet;  standing  on  the  wet  grass;  keeping 

on  damp  clothes,  after  having  been  engaged  in  exercise,  are  frequent 
causes  of  lung  fever.  One  great  principle,  practical  in  its  nature 
and  easily  understood,  underlies  all  these  cases:  it  is  the  getting 
chilled;  this  is  the  more  easily  brought  about  in  proportion  to  the 
amount  of  exercise  which  has  been  previously  taken  to  the  extent 
of  inducing  a  warmth  of  body  above  what  is  natural;  the  easy  and 
universal  prevention  is  cool  ofE  very  slowly  after  all  forms  of  exercise 
in  cold  weather. 

There  are  two  principal  forms  of  the  disorder;  what  is  known 
as  acute  labor  pneumonia,  due  to  a  specific  germ  called  the  pneu- 
mococcus,  and  another  form  called  catarrhal  pneumonia,  which 
may  result  from  a  number  of  germs,  notably  measles,  whooping- 
cough,  la  grippe,  scarlet  fever,  and  in  infants  and  small  children 
may  be  the  result  of  a  cold. 

The  first  form  is  most  common  in  adults  and  the  second  form 
in  infants,  small  children  and  the  feeble  and  aged. 

The  germ  which  causes  the  labor  pneumonia  seems  to  be 
with  us  all  the  time,  and,  like  the  pus-forming  bacteria  and  colon 
microbes,  they  only  become  vicious  and  do  harm  when  they  find  a 
suitable  soil  in  which  to  develop. 

Cold,  and  a  sudden  change  from  a  warm  room  to  extreme  cold, 
or  more  often  the  change  from  a  fresh,  moist,  cold,  outside  atmos- 
phere to  the  dry,  overheated,  impure  air  of  a  close,  illy-ventilated 
room,  often  excites  an  attack  of  this  disease. 

Drunkards  are  especially  predisposed  to  pneumonia;  also 
miners  who  work  underground  in  a  warm,  damp  atmosphere  and 
then  come  suddenly  to  the  surface  colder  air.  In  the  United  States 
the  disease  is  more  prevalent  in  fall  and  winter. 

Many  a  young  girl  wearing  the  conventional  decollete  attire  of 
the  ball  room,  overheated  from  the  dance,  courts  danger  by  sudden 
exposure  in  a  cold  hall  or  in  a  draft  of  cold  air  in  an  open  window. 

Young  men,  athletes,  often  suffer  from  an  attack  of  the  disorder 
from  sudden  cooling  after  extra  exertion  in  the  open  air  sports. 

Women  are  said  to  be  more  predisposed  to  the  disease  than 
men,  due  to  their  indoor  life. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  115 

Farmers  are  often  victims  of  this  disease.  In  wet,  cold  weather 
they  are  often  damp,  or  even  wet,  all  day  long,  and  as  the  result  are 
chilled  and  stiff  by  nightfall  and  failing  to  change  the  damp  clothing 
for  warm,  clean,  dry  attire,  remain  chilly  all  the  evening;  and  adding 
to  the  overwork  of  the  already  overtaxed  digestive  organs  the  task 
of  disposing  of  a  hearty  supper,  which  does  not  digest  well,  and 
fermenting,  increases  the  bodily  toxines,  giving  the  pneumonia 
germs  opportunity  to  grow  and  develop  into  an  attack  of  the  disease. 

A  chill  in  the  night,  the  pain  and  fever  all  indicate  a  severe 
illness,  and  many  a  strong  man  has  thus  succumbed  in  his  prime 
to  an  infection,  the  germ  of  which  would  have  been  harmless  had  the 
bodily  resistance  not  been  crippled  by  bad  hygienic  conditions. 

Winter  Clothing. — For  ordinary  winter  weather  a  flannel 
lining  stitched  into  the  back  of  a  summer  waistcoat  makes  it  com- 
fortably warm.  For  women  also  it  is  desirable  to  protect  the  spinal 
cord  from  extreme  cold. 

Pneumonia  is  contagious,  and  when  one  member  of  the  family 
is  taken  wth  the  disorder,  unless  all  discharges  are  destroyed,  the 
other  members  may  be  attacked,  especially  should  there  be  an  aged 
or  feeble  member  in  the  household,  or  anyone  suffering  from  any 
chronic  disorder.  The  patient  should  be  isolated  in  a  large,  well- 
ventilated,  sunny  room.  Every  article  likely  to  harbor  dust  or 
germs,  should  be  removed  before  the  patient  is  moved  in. 

A  healthy  member  of  the  family,  or  better  still,  a  trained  nurse, 
should  be  installed  in  charge  of  the  case. 

During  the  chill,  a  hot  bath,  or  dry  heat  in  the  form  of  dry 
blanket  pack,  or  putting  hot  bottles  around  the  patient,  often  gives 
much  relief. 

Should  the  stomach  be  overloaded,  or  the  bowels  constipated, 
an  injection  of  hot  water,  and  washing  out  the  stomach  often  gives 
much  relief.  All  food  should  be  stopped  for  at  least  twenty-four 
hours. 

Most  fatal  terminations  are  due  to  heart  failure  from  accumu- 
lations of  poisons  in  the  blood.  This  blood  intoxication  is  much  in- 
creased if  the  patient  is  compelled  to  breathe  air  filled  with  the  wastes 
and  germs  which  he  is  constantly  giving  ofif  at  every  paroxysm  of 
coughing. 


lie.  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

The  two  most  important  measures  in  the  treatment  of  the 
disease  are  to  keep  the  aUmentary  canal  clean  and  give  the  respira- 
tory organs  pure  air  to  inhale. 

So  important  is  pure  air  to  the  pneumonia  patient  that  many 
physicians  are  treating  these  cases  out  on  the  house  top  or  verandas 
in  the  open  air,  at  least  for  a  part  of  the  day, during  which  tim.e  the 
room  may  be  thoroughly  aired  and  cleaned  of  all  infections  and  dust. 

Dr.  Lindsay  in  Good  Housekeeping  gives  the  following  excellent 
advice  regarding  treatment  before  and  after  the  crisis: 

"  There  is  often  great  suffering  from  pleurisy  pains  in  the 
chest.  Sometimes  hot  fomentations  will  bring  relief  and  often,, 
when  there  is  high  fever,  an  ice  bag  over  the  painful  part  and  a  hot 
mustard  foot  or  leg  bath  will  give  relief  by  diverting  the  blood  away 
from  the  inflamed  part. 

There  is  always  more  or  less  delirium  in  every  severe  case  of 
pneumonia,  therefore,  the  patient  should  never  be  left  alone  for  a 
moment. 

An  ice  cap  on  the  head  and  a  hot  leg  pack,  that  is,  wrapping 
the  legs  and  feet  up  in  a  blanket  wrung  out  of  water  hot  as  can  be 
borne,  will  often  quiet  this  symptom.  It  has  been  the  experience 
of  the  writer  that  the  delirium  is  much  less  under  fresh  air  treatment. 

About  the  ninth  or  tenth  day  a  crisis  is  likely  to  occur.  If  the 
patient  is  to  make  a  good  recovery,  there  is  a  marked  fall  of  tempera- 
ture, and  critical  sweat.  If  the  surface  remains  warm  and  the 
breathing  becomes  slower  and  deeper,  he  is  likely  to  recover. 

Should  the  surface  become  cold  and  livid,  the  temperature 
fall  below  normal  and  the  heart  become  weak,  the  case  will  be  very 
doubtful.  At  this  stage  the  patient  needs  the  most  careful  nursing 
for  a  few  days  until  the  lungs  begin  to  clear  up  and  the  case  is  fairly 
started  on  the  way  to  recovery. 

The  fresh  air  treatment  should  be  continued,  but  all  cold  water 

treatment,  which  gave  relief  in  the  fever  stage,  stopped. 

In  place  of  the  tepid  sponge,  should  be  a  warm  or  hot  sponge 
bath.  Hot  bags  to  feet,  legs  and  spine,  and  warm  drinks.  Short, 
hot  fomentations  over  chest  and  heart,  and  rubbing  off  the  perspira- 
tion with  dry,  warm  towels. 

As  the  heart  is  weak,  avoid  all  sudden  efforts  at  exertion  or 
excitement,  which  might  prove  suddenly  fatal  by  heart  failure. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  117 

The  time  of  convalescence  requires  great  care  neither  to  over- 
feed nor  undernourish  the  patient.  The  fluid  diet  of  the  onset 
and  fever  stage  should  still  be  continued,  to  which  may  be  gradually 
added  a  slice  of  nice  cream  toast  or  a  soft  poached  egg,  never  over- 
loading the  stomach,  which  might  cause  a  relapse. 

As  drugs  can  do  little  for  pneumonia  cases  and  good  nursing 
a  great  deal,  it  is  a  very  important  matter  that  the  home  nurse  should 
know  how  to  manage  her  patient  so  as  to  give  him  proper  aid,  food 
and  water  administrated  in  a  proper  manner,  for  this  is  the  hope  of 
these  patients  and  the  truly  life-saving  measures;  but  they  must  be 
faithfully  and  skillfully  used." 

BRIGHT'S  DISEASE 

Semmola,  of  Naples,  an  authority  on  this  trouble,  advises 
strongly  against  allowing  a  patient  who  is  suffering  from  nephritis  to 
come  in  contact  with  cold  in  any  avoidable  way.  Such  patients  are 
excessively  sensitive  to  cold,  and  cold  baths  are  followed  by  great 
shock  and  depression. 

Violent  massage  and  exercise  of  the  muscles  the  author  also 
strongly  deprecates  as  followed  by  great  shock  and  weakness. 

He  would  advise  the  patient  to  live  in  a  dry  and  equable  climate; 
to  strictly  avoid  all  exposure  or  going  about  in  severe  winter  weather; 
to  practice  mild  gymnastics  in  a  comfortable  room  rather  than  ven- 
ture into  a  temperature  below  18°  or  20°  C.  The  author  emphasizes 
the  remarkable  sensibility  of  the  skin  of  the  sufferer  with  Bright's 
disease  to  all  variations  of  temperature.  Sodium  iodide  and 
chloride  is  advised  in  doses  as  large  as  tolerated.  When,  after  two 
or  three  weeks,  albumen  has  not  entirely  disappeared  and  dropsy 
has  been  relieved,  phosphates  of  sodium  or  calcium  are  given  in 
quantities  as  large  as  40  grains  or  a  drachm.  The  efficacy  of  these 
drugs  the  author  believes  consists  in  their  power  to  promote  the 
assimilation  of  albumen. 

The  methodical  inhalation  of  oxygen,  which  Semmola  has 
urged  has  been  repeatedly  proved  to  be  of  the  highest  benefit. 
Albumen  soon  disappears  after  its  use,  and  although  casts  may 
remain  in  the  urine,  the  patient's  general  condition  is  so  much 
improved  that  the  author  thinks  we  have  here  an  argument  for  the 
dyscrasic  (faulty  condition  of  the  body)  or  haematogenic  (formative 
of  blood)  origin  of  Bright's  disease. 

All  astringents  are  considered  not  only  valueless,  but  also 
injurious.  Especially  is  the  action  of  plumbum  aceticum  thought 
injurious,  because  of  its  astringent  influence  on  the  capillaries  of  the 
skin. 


118  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Diabetes  is  treated,  by  eating  meat  broths  (without  vegetables), 
shell  fish,  gait  fish  (cooked),  fresh  and  salted  meats,  animal  fats 
(but  butter  in  moderation),  vegetables  (beet  tops,  radishes,  celery, 
lettuce,  horse  radish,  endives),  fruits  if  acid,  not  sweet,  milk,  butter- 
milk and  cheese,  nuts;  frequent  feeding  is  desirable. 

Sugar  and  all  starchy  (farinaceous)  foods  are  forbidden,  also 
animal  livers  and  those  of  shell  fish;  all  sweet  fruits  (prunes,  figs, 
dates)  are  to  be  avoided. 

Look  for  diabetes  where  wounds  are  very  slow  in  healing. 

Gout. — Dr.  J.  Mortimer  Granville  published  a  prescription  for 
the  relief  of  gout  which,  he  states,  gives  satisfactory  results  in  acute 
and  subacute  attacks  of  that  malady,  relieving  the  pain  almost 
immediately,  reducing  swellings,  and  raising  the  proportion  of  urea 
considerably,  often  as  much  as  50  or  even  100  per  cent.  The  formula 
he  gives  is  a  follows:  Ammonii  chloridi,  3  iv;  potassas  chloratis, 
3  ij;  glycerini,  3  xij;  tincturae  iodi,  3  ij;  aquas  ad  3  xij.  —  Mix. 
The  dose  is  two  tablespoonfuls  every  third,  fourth,  or  sixth  hour. 

For  the  local  treatment  of  chronic  gout  the  following  formula 
is  recommended  as  being  of  great  utility.  Take  of  ethereal  tincture 
of  capsicum,  spirits  of  ammonia,  essence  of  turpentine,  linseed-oil, 
of  each  one  ounce;  mix,  and  apply  by  rubbing. 

Dr.  Satterlee  recommends  the  following  local  application  in 
cases  of  gout  and  rheumatism.  Take  of  oil  of  scinthoria,  two 
drachms;  olive-oil,  two  drachms;  soap  liniment,  two  drachms; 
tincture  of  aconite,  two  drachms;  tincture  of  opium,  two  drachms. 
Make  a  liniment  and  apply  freely;  then  cover  the  part  with  cotton 
wadding. 

RHEUMATISM 

Nearly  every  form  of  rheumatism  affects  the  joints  and  in- 
flames the  system,  if  it  becomes  chronic.  Since  it  is  a  disease  of 
the  blood,  it  has  this  inevitable  tendency. 

Few,  even  of  those  who  believe  that  they  have  recovered 

from  it,  escape  without  souvenirs  of  the  visitation  in  the  form  of 
an  enlarged  joint  or  two,  or  a  sliglitly  misshapen  member. 

One  of  the  most  simple  and  eflfective  remedies  is  to  go  to  the 

hot  springs  for  a  month  or  so,  as  well  as  to  chew  dried  rhubarb  root; 
or  use  a  combination  of  salicylate  of  soda  and  rhubarb  as  prepared 
by  the  druggists. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  119 

Mustard-Oil  is  a  good  remedy  for  local  rheumatism.  It  is  used 
externally  in  friction  twice  daily. 

Celery — raw,  stewed,  or  in  soup — is  the  cure  par  excellence  for 
rheumatism,  and  very  simple  and  agreeable. 

A  liniment  of  equal  parts  of  oil  of  wintergreen  and  olive  oil,  or 
soap  liniment,  is  said  to  afford  almost  instant  relief  from  pain  in 
acute  rheumatism. 

A  gentleman  who  has  been  treated  by  skilled  physicians, 

both  in  this  country  and  abroad,  says  that  coffee  made  from  the 
green  berry  will  bring  great  relief,  if  it  does  not  effect  a  permanent 
cure,  in  the  treatment  of  rheumatism.  To  a  tea-cup  of  cold  water 
add  a  tablespoonful  of  Java  coffee.  Let  it  stand  over-night,  and 
drink  before  breakfast  in  the  morning. 

Try  a  potato  poultice  for  this  painful  disease.  Boil  two  pota- 
toes in  their  '  'jackets. ' '  When  done,  mash  potatoes — skins  and  all — 
spread  on  a  cloth  and  apply.  A  friend  once  told  me  she  experienced 
great  relief  from  an  application  of  this  kind  on  a  rheumatic  foot. 

Muscular  rheumatism  (lumbago,  pleurodynia,  etc.):  Specific 
bryonia,  1-1500  of  a  drop  every  two  hours,  will  cure  many  cases 
in  twenty-four  hours  and  nearly  all  in  forty-eight.  (Homeopathic 
treatment.) 

A  Cure  for  Rheumatism.  One  quart  of  milk,  quite  hot,  into 
which  stir  one  ounce  of  alum;  this  will  make  curds  and  whey. 
Bathe  the  parts  affected  with  the  whey  until  too  cold.  In  the  mean- 
time keep  the  curds  hot,  and,  after  bathing,  put  them  on  a  poultice, 
wrap  in  flannel,  and  go  to  sleep  (you  can).  Three  applications 
should  be  a  perfect  cure,  even  in  aggravated  cases. 

Sufferers  from  rheumatism  should  avoid  coffee,  tea,  alcohol, 
red  meats,  chocolate,  sweets,  tomatoes,  highly  seasoned  foods, 
and  over  use  of  all  proteins.  Vegetables,  eggs,  fish,  fresh  fruits, 
cereals,  milk,  cheese,  and  the  white  meat  of  chicken  are  suggested 
for  foods. 

Acute  Articular  Rheumatism. — Hatfield  speaks  well  of  the 
following  liniment  as  a  local  sedative  to  the  affected  joints:  01. 
Gaultherias,  3^  ounce;  Spirit  Chloroform,  3^  ounce;  Lin.  Saponis,  3 
ounces.  M.  Sig. — Apply  freely,  and  wrap  the  joint  in  cotton 
batting. 


120  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Camphor-Phenol    Method    of    Treating    Rheumatism.— 

Apply  extenially  a  mixture  of  2  parts  ground  camphor  and  1  part 
phenol,  adding  5  per  cent,  alcohol  to  the  mixture.  The  result  is  an 
oily  fluid,  sparingly  soluble  in  water,  and  free  from  caustic  action. 
Only  very  delicate  skins  feel  a  slight  smarting.  One  can  pour  the 
mixture  directly  into  old  wounds,  suppurating  fistulas,  etc.,  without 
the  patients'  complaining  that  it  hurts  them.  It  seems  to  be 
especially  a  poison  for  streptococci.  It  is  used  to  great  advantage 
in  cases  of  erysipelas.  It  causes  a  blue  discoloration  of  the  skin  in 
some  cases  on  external  application,  which  is  ascribed  to  liberation 
of  the  phenol. 

Acute  Rheumatism. — Sodii  et  Potass.  Tart,  Y2  ounce;  Potass. 
Nitrat,  5  drachms;  Vin.  Colchici  Sem,  2  drachms;  Aquae,  q.s.as.,  2 
ounces.     M.  Sig. — Teaspoonful  every  three  or  four  hours. 

Cure  for  Lumbago. — One  ounce  of  gum  guaiacum,  dissolved 
in  half  a  pint  of  best  rum;  one  tablespoonful  to  be  taken,  three  times 
a  day,  in  a  wine  glass  of  cold  water,  before  meals.  This  remedy 
has  had,  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  the  desired  effect. 

An  instantaneous  remedy,  applied  to  accidental  or  a  frigore 
lumbago,  or  to  rheumatic  pains  produced  by  a  strain  of  muscular 
exertion,  will  be  found  in  collodion,  tincture  of  iodine,  and  liquid 
ammonia,  equal  parts.  To  be  applied  widely  over  the  parts  with  a 
camel-hair  brush. 

A  Local  Application  for  Pain.  The  following  combination, 
sometimes  called  Sandy's  local  application,  is  very  efficient  as  a  local 
remedy  in  rheumatism,  myalgia,  neuralgia  and  other  painful  con- 
ditions: Gum  camphor,  two  ounces;  chloral  hydrate  and  oil  of 
wintergreen,  of  each  four  drams;  fluid  extract  of  cannabas  indica, 
one  dram;  alcohol,  sufficient  to  make  three  ounces. 


BOILS,  CARBUNCLES  AND  FELONS 

A  poultice  of  ripe  figs  is  one  of  the  best  things  known  for  car- 
buncles or  boils.     Must  be  well  washed  and  peeled. 

Carbuncles  may  be  aborted  in  their  early  stage  by  an  injection 
of  two  or  three  minims  of  an  80%  solution  of  carbolic  acid  in  glycerin. 
Later,  15  to  30  minims  are  needed. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  121 

Cure  for  a  Felon. — Mix  well  one  teaspoonful  of  burnt  salt,  one 
teaspoonful  of  Indian  meal,  and  the  yolk  of  one  egg,  ten  drops  of 
spirits  of  turpentine,  a  small  quantity  of  home  made  lye  soap, 
shaved  fine.  Apply  as  a  poultice  for  twenty-four  hours.  If  applied 
early,  it  will  certainly  eflfect  a  cure. 

If  you  have  the  appearance  of  a  felon  coming,  put  some  hard- 
wood ashes  in  an  old  tin  cup,  pour  over  them  warm  water,  immerse 
the  end  of  the  sore  finger  in  the  ashes,  set  the  dish  on  some  live 
coals  or  on  top  of  the  stove,  keeping  the  finger  in  as  long  as  you  can, 
and  soak  it  several  times  a  day.  If  taken  in  time,  it  generally  pre- 
vents a  felon  from  coming  if  the  finger  is  wet  with  it  often. 

Calcium  sulphide,  J<^  grain  every  two  hours,  is  very  useful  in 
beginning  boils,  carbuncles,  or  in  any  acute  suppurative  condition. 

Novel  Treatment  of  Sciatica. — All  who  suffer  from  sciatica 
and  neuralgic  pains  may,  at  any  rate,  try  the  extremely  simple 
treatment  devised  by  Dr.  Ehrard,  who  has  employed  it  for  many 
years,  for  the  experiment  will  cost  nothing,  may  possibly  effect  a 
cure,  and,  at  all  events,  can  do  no  harm.  The  apparatus  to  be  used 
consists  merely  of  a  fiat-iron  and  vinegar.  The  iron  is  heated  until 
it  is  hot  enough  to  evaporate  the  vinegar,  next  covered  with  some 
woolen  material  moistened  with  vinegar,  and  then  applied  at  once 
to  the  painful  spot.  The  application  may  be  made  twice  or  thrice  a 
day.  It  is  stated  that  the  pain  disappears  in  twenty-four  hours,  and 
recovery  follows  immediately. 

Cures  of  sciatica  are  reported  as  having  taken  place  in  Paris 
after  a  single  application  of  Dr.  Debove's  method  of  freezing  the 
skin  above  the  painful  parts  with  a  spray  of  chloride  of  methyl. 
The  operation  is  said  to  be  applicable  also  to  facial  neuralgia. 

For  sciatica,  when  pain  is  caused  by  motion :  Bryonia  in  minute 
doses.  When  pain  is  bad  when  quiet,  but  removed  on  motion: 
Rhus  tox.  in  minute  doses  will  nearly  always  act  like  a  charm. 
(Homeopathic.) 

Dr.  Aschenbach  has  found  that  salol  taken  internally  relieves 
his  sciatica  better  than  any  other  remedy.  He  first  took  seven, 
grains  and  a  half,  and  later  on  the  same  day  fifteen  grains. 

It  is  claimed  that,  mixed  with  glycerine,  iodine  proves  much 
more  effective  as  a  local  application  than  the  plain  tincture.  This 
is  due  to  the  retardation  of  the  dissipation  of  the  iodine,  or,  more 
likely,  to  the  skin  remaining  soft,  and  hence  in  better  condition  for 
absorbing  the  drug. 


122  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  Good  Liniment. — Oil  of  Cloves,  2  drachms;  Oil  of  Sassafras,  4 
drachms;  Chloroform,  4  drachms;  Tinct.  Camphor,  4  drachms;  Aq. 
Ammonia,  4  drachms;  Alcohol,  2  ounces.     Mix. 

A  Very  Useful  Liniment. — One  ounce  oil  of  origanum,  two 
ounces  spirits  of  turpentine,  shake  up  well  and  apply  on  soft  linen; 
to  some  persons  this  liniment  has  an  unpleasant  odor,  but  it  is  very 
efficacious;  there  is  no  better  for  burns,  sprains,  cuts,  etc.,  in  cases 
where  the  skin  is  not  broken;  pour  a  little  into  the  hand,  and  rub 
well  on  the  parts  affected  two  or  three  times  a  day. 

Camphorated  Oil  is  simply  oil  in  which  camphor  has  been 
dissolved.  In  the  pharmacopoeia  it  is  camphor  liniment,  and  is 
made  by  cutting  up  one  part  of  camphor  in  slices,  and  dissolving  it 
in  four  parts  of  warm  olive-oil.  The  "compound  camphorated 
liniment"  is  made  of,  say,  five  parts  of  camphor  and  a  quarter 
part  of  English  oil  of  lavender,  dissolved  in  thirty  parts  of  rectified 
spirit,  to  which  is  gradually  added  ten  parts  of  strong  ammonia 
liquor,  guarding  the  nose.  It  is  useful  for  rubbing  on  swellings, 
such  as  mumps,  etc. 

A  very  fine  soap  liniment  is  made  as  follows.  Take  of  white 
Castile  soap,  cut  small,  two  pounds;  camphor,  five  ounces;  oil  of 
rosemary,  one  ounce;  oil  of  origanum,  two  ounces;  rectified  spirits, 
one  gallon.  Dissolve  in  a  corked  bottle  by  the  heat  of  a  water-bath, 
and,  when  quite  cool,  strain  and  add  liquor  of  ammonia  eleven 
ounces.  Put  it  into  bottles  immediately,  cork  close,  and  tie  over 
with  a  bladder.     It  will  be  solid  and  transparent  when  cold. 

Cure  for  Ringworm. — Wash  the  part  affected  with  a  little  lemon 
juice;  then  rub  in  with  the  finger  a  little  indigo  which  has  been 
bruised  in  a  mortar.    Do  this  gently  about  twice  a  day. 

Ringworm  Cure. — Corrosive  sublimate,  two  grains;  compound 
tincture  of  benzoin,  one  ounce.  Paint  the  part  once  a  day  till  the 
integument  is  irritated. 

The  Journal  of  Cutaneous  Diseases  reports  the  best  results 
in  cases  of  ringworm  from  the  use  of  a  paint  composed  of  tincture 
of  myrrh  and  four  grains  to  the  ounce  of  bichloride  of  mercury. 
Other  skin  affections  are  cured  by  the  application  of  this  remedy. 

A  Simple  Remedy  for  Ringworm. — Use  thinly-made  mustard. 
With  the  top  of  the  finger  rub  this  semi-Hquid  first  outside  the  sore, 
then  over  it,  always  rubbing  in  a  circle  and  gently,  and  for  a  few 
seconds  only.  Repeat  twice  a  day  while  necessary.  For  a  child  it 
is  a  painful  cure;  but  a  grown-up  person  will  not  mind  a  few  hours' 
smarting,  and  will  find  the  cure  rapid  and  effectual. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  123 

Remedy  for  Scabies. — Lac.  Sulphuris,  1  drachm;  Beta-Naph- 
tholi,  10  grains;  Bals.  Peru,  1  drachm;  Adipis  Benz,  1  ounce.  M. 
Sig. — Apply  after  a  hot  bath. 

Parasiticide  Ointment, — Salicylic  Acid,  45  grains;  Borax,  15 
grains;  Balsam  of  Peru,  30  grains;  Ethereal  Ess.  of  Anise,  5  drops; 
Ess.  of  Bergamot,  20  drops;  Vaseline,  6  drachms.  M.  ft.  ointment. 
Apply  to  the  part  aflfected. 

Winter  Itch. — Menthol,  3H  drachms;  Glycerin,  2  drachms; 
Aquae,  ad,  4  ounces.     M.  Sig. — Apply. 

Shingles  (Herpes  Zoster). — Envelop  the  parts  as  tightly  as 
possible  with  a  linen  or  cotton  cloth  bandage,  the  inner  surface 
of  which  has  been  dusted  with  starch,  and  then  laid  on  so  that  there 
is  a  little  layer  of  starch  next  to  the  body;  then  the  cloth  is  sewn  on 
tightly,  making  a  perfectly  skin-fitting  bandage.  The  relief  is 
prodigious.     Never  touch  the  dressing,  leaving  it  on  for  a  week. 

Hives  and  prickly  heat  are  unpleasant  summer  annoyances. 
To  arrest  the  former,  all  fish,  pork,  cheese,  pickles,  sauerkraut  and 
strawberries  should  be  stricken  from  one's  menu.  An  excellent 
cure  for  prickly  heat  is  simple  enough  to  try.  Mix  a  large  portion 
of  wheat  bran  with  either  cold  or  lukewarm  water,  and  use  it,  two 
or  three  times  a  day,  as  a  bath. 

To  relieve  the  itching  of  hives  so  distressing  to  children,  add 
a  teaspoonful  of  vinegar  to  a  cupful  of  water  and  bathe  the  parts 
affected. 

Hives. — Dr.  J.  J.  Liggett  commends  the  following:  Potassii 
lodidi,  5  drachms;  Vini  Colchici  Sem,  1  ounce;  Tinct.  Cimicifuga 
Rac,  2  ounces;  Tinct.  Stramon,  J^  ounce;  Tinct.  Opii  Camph,  13^ 
ounces.  M.  Sig. — From  fifteen  drops  to  one  drachm  three  times  a 
day 

Bromide  of  soda  in  20  grain  doses  is  excellent  in  relieving  the 

itching  of  hives. 

A    Simple    Remedy    for    Nettle-Rash    and    Insect-Bites. 

Dissolve  a  small  quantity  of  menthol  in  alcohol,  and  apply  to  the 
spots  as  a  lotion.  This  preparation  is  said  to  be  equally  efficacious 
for  insect-stings. 

For  erysipelas  and  all  high  inflammation  of  the  skin  make  a 
poultice  of  raw  cranberries  pounded  to  a  fine  pulp. 


124  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Eczema  of  the  Nipple. — Braun  is  stated  to  recommend  the  fol- 
lowing: Calomel,  45  grains;  Carbonate  of  Magnesia,  40  grains; 
Cold  Cream,  1  ounce.  M.  ft.  ung.  Sig. — Apply  with  friction  to 
the  part  which  is  affected.  The  reddened  and  sensitive  areola 
which  surrounds  the  excoriation  should  be  anointed  night  and  morn- 
ing with  the  glycerole  of  tannin.  All  applications  should  be  care- 
fully wiped  away  before  the  infant  nurses. 

Alcohol  is  one  of  those  substances  which  in  varying  quantities 
has  the  power  of  producing  opposite  results.  In  small  quantities 
it  stimulates  the  action  of  the  heart — in  large,  it  depresses  it;  it 
destroys  the  pepsin  and  arrests  the  digestion;  in  small  quantities 
it  has  an  exhilarating  effect  on  the  nervous  system — in  large,  it  is  a 
narcotic. 

To  Allay  the  Craving  for  Alcohol. — Tinct.  Capsici,  1  drachm; 
Tinct.  Nucis  Vom.  1  drachm;  Acidi  Nitro-hydrochloric.  Dilute 
1  drachm;  Infus.  Gentian,  ad,  12  ounces.  M.  and  make  mixture. 
Sig. — Two  tablespoonf uls  as  often  as  required . 

A  tablespoonf ul  in  water  of  the  following  mixture  every  two 
hours  has  given  satisfactory  results  in  the  treatment  of  drink- 
craving. — Tr.  capsici,  three  drachms;  spt.  ammon.  aromat.,  three 
drachms;  tr.  calumba;,  one  ounce;  tr.  card,  co.,  six  drachms;  aqua 
ad.,  eight  ounces. 

Cure  for  Drunkenness. — ^Sulphate  of  iron,  5  grains;  peppermint 
water,  11  drachms;  spirits  of  nutmeg,  1  drachm.  To  be  taken  twice 
a  day  in  doses  of  about  a  wineglassful,  or  less,  with  or  without  water. 

Poison  Ivy  (Rhus)  Poisoning. — Use  a  strong  solution  of  sul- 
phate of  iron  (copperas)  freely,  mopping  the  surface  every  hour  or 
two. 

Weak  soda  water  applied  several  times  a  day  is  an  excellent 
remedy  for  the  inflammation  caused  by  contact  with  poisonous  plants. 

Remedy  for  Poison  Ivy. — Take  a  piece  of  fresh  lime  as  large  as 
a  walnut,  unslacked;  dissolve  it  in  a  saucer  in  a  small  quantity  of 
water,  wash  the  hands  in  it ;  apply  to  the  parts  affected. 

A  good  ivy  poison  remedy  is  a  poultice  of  bread,  wet  with  water, 
and  powdered  with  common  soda. 

For  ivy  poisoning,  paint  the  affected  parts  with  strong  wood-lye. 
Let  remain  a  moment,  then  wash  off  with  lukewarm  water.  When 
dry  rub  over  with  vaseline. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  125 

For  severe  itching  and  smarting,  produced  by  being  poisoned 
with  ivy,  oak,  or  dogwood,  may  be  relieved  by  washing  the  parts 
affected  with  a  solution  of  saleratus  water — two  teaspoonfuls  to  a 
pint  of  water — then  applying  cloths  wet  with  extract  of  witch  hazel. 

A  Remedy  for  the  Eruption  of  Poison  Oak,  Ivy  and  Sumach. 

— Use  bromine  dissolved  in  olive  oil,  in  cosmoline,  or  in  glycerine. 
The  application  with  glycerine  is  painful,  and  possesses  no  advan- 
tage to  compensate  for  the  irritation.  The  strength  of  the  solution 
is  from  ten  to  twenty  drops  of  bromine  to  the  ounce  of  oil,  used  by 
rubbing  gently  on  the  affected  jiart  three  or  four  times  a  day,  and 
especially  on  going  to  bed  at  night.  Wash  off  the  oil  twice  a  day 
with  castile  soap. 

The  bromine  is  so  volatile  that  the  solution  should  be  renewed 
within  twenty-four  hours  of  its  preparation,  as  it  will  get  out  of 
a  bottle,  however  well  corked.  It  is  best  to  stand  the  bottle  on  its 
cork  end,  in  the  intervals  of  application. 

BITES  AND  STINGS 

The  stings  of  insects  are  not  usually  serious,  yet  there  have  been 
cases  where  severe  cases  of  poisoning  ensued  even  from  mosquito 
bites.  They  are  painful  enough,  however,  and  a  knowledge  of  simple 
and  readily  available  remedies  is  very  desirable. 

In  all  cases,  whether  of  mosquito  bites  or  the  stings  of  bees  or 
hornets,  an  immediate  application  of  cologne  water,  ammonia  or 
camphor  will  give  immediate  relief,  unless  the  sting  remains  in  the 
skin.  In  such  a  case,  the  sting  should  be  pulled  out  with  delicate 
forceps,  or  it  can  be  removed,  though  somewhat  clumsily,  by  the 
pressure  of  the  two  thumb  nails  on  opposite  sides  of  it. 

The  presence  of  a  bee's  or  wasp's  sting  in  the  wound  is  not 
dangerous,  as  has  been  popularly  supposed.  It  will,  however,  greatly 
aggravate  the  soreness,  and  it  generates  offensive  matter,  which  is 
especially  disagreeable.  The  sting  remaining  in  the  wound  is  easily 
discernible,  as  a  black  spot  in  the  center  of  inflammation. 

The  sting  of  the  bee  is  harmful  only  when  the  sting  remains 
sticking  in  the  wound.  So  the  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  press  the 
wound  in  order  to  make  it  bleed,  since  the  blood  that  flows  will  carry 
along  a  portion  of  the  poison.  Then  suck  the  wound  and  wash  it 
well  with  water  and  then  with  a  solution  of  knos  powder.  This 
latter,  which  is  much  used  in  England,  consists  of  three  parts  of 
chloride  of  lime  to  eight  of  common  salt.  An  ounce  of  this  powder 
is  to  be  dissolved  in  a  tumbler  of  water. 


126  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Spider  bites  are  not  only  painful,  but  often  venomous,  and  it  is 
necessary  to  wash  them  with  salt  water  or  diluted  vinegar. 

For  the  sting  of  the  scorpion,  volatile  alkali  should  be  used, 
and  after  the  pain  subsides,  an  emollient  cataplasm  may  be  applied. 

An  application  of  onions  is  effectual  in  the  cases  of  stings  and 
bites  of  insects. 

Flour  is  considered  excellent,  and  another  simple  cure  is  to 
cover  the  skin  with  a  little  soapy  lather. 

The  stings  of  insects,  such  as  gnats,  mosquitoes,  etc.,  are  often 
painful.  In  such  a  case  apply  spirit  of  hartshorn  or  volatile  alkali 
to  the  part. 

Bee  Stings. — Aqua  ammonia  is  a  specific  for  bee  stings;  it  should 
be  applied  to  the  injured  parts  at  once  and  thoroughly,  when  all 
pain  and  swelling  will  immediately  subside. 

Castor  oil  is  said  to  be  an  infalible  remedy  for  the  sting  of  bees 
and  other  insects.  It  appears  to  counteract  the  poison  and  allay 
the  pain  as  soon  as  applied. 

A  cure  for  mosquito  bites  is  a  solution  of  alum  water  made 
strong,  adding  a  little  glycerine  and  vinegar. 

For  wasp  and  gnat  stings  alcohol  mixed  with  a  smaU  quantity 
of  menthol  is  good,  while  the  leaves  of  scented  verbena  are  said  to 
be  of  the  utmost  importance  in  warding  oflf  all  unpleasant  onslaught 
from  unfriendly  insects. 

Bee  or  Wasp  Sting. — With  forceps,  or  by  the  pressure  of  the  hol- 
low of  a  small  key  over  the  part,  extract  the  sting;  then  immediately 
rub  with  a  little  moistened  blue  (for  washing),  or  a  few  drops  of  a 
solution  of  potash  or  saleratus,  or  apply  snuff  or  tobacco. 

The  pain  of  insect  stings  is  best  relieved  by  applying  flexible 
collodion  containing  thirty-five  grains  of  salicylic  acid  to  the  fluid 
ounce,  or  one-third  of  one  grain  of  corrosive  sublimate  to  the  ounce. 
Pain  is  quickly  relieved  and  swelling  of  tlie  part  generally  prevented. 
According  to  Dr.  Gerard,  the  inconveniences  resulting  from  bites  by 
mosquitoes  and  gnats,  especially  when  recent,  may  be  relieved  by 
rubbing  the  bitten  spot  with  chloroform.  The  swelling  quickly  de- 
creases, and  the  pain  and  itching  disappear. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  127 

Immediately  on  being  stung  by  a  wasp,  place  the  hollow- 
barrel  of  a  key  round  the  sting  and  press  until  it  begins  to  hurt. 
On  removing  the  key,  the  sting  will  be  found  lying  outside  the 
puncture  it  has  made,  and  inside  the  ring  formed  by  the  pressure 
of  the  key  barrel.  All  pain  ceases  at  once,  no  swelling  takes  place, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  it  is  difficult  to  find  again  where  one  has  been 
stung. 

It  is  a  common  and  dangerous  habit  many  housewives  have 
of  setting  away  half-used  bottles  of  medicine.  Destroy  them  before 
any  children  do  themselves  injury. 

To  mark  bottles  of  poison  and  prevent  accident,  buy  a  dozen 
tiny  bells,  and  every  time  a  bottle  of  poison  comes  into  the  house 
tie  a  bell  to  the  neck.  Even  in  the  dark  the  bell  will  tinkle  its 
warning. 


ANTIDOTES  TO  POISONS 

The  very  first  thing  that  should  be  done  is  to  send  for  a  medical 
man.  If  you  do  not  know  what  the  poison  is,  the  necessity  for  a 
medical  man's  presence  is  all  the  greater.  Chemists  are  not  ex- 
pected to  judge  from  symptoms,  and  it  is  risky  for  them  to  try. 

The  second  point  is  to  get  the  stomach  emptied  as  quickly  as 
possible,  but  this  must  not  be  done  with  the  stomach-pump  when 
corrosive  acids  and  caustic  alkalies  are  the  poisons,  because  perfora- 
tion of  the  stomach  might  follow;  nor  should  emetics  be  used  in 
these  cases.  The  stomach-pump  may  profitably  be  used  in  other 
cases,  especially  if  the  poison  be  an  irritant;  but  it  is,  on  the  whole, 
more  expeditious  to  inject  subcutaneously  5  minims  of  inject, 
apomorph,  hypoderm.  the  victim  swallowing  a  cupful  of  water,  with 
the  chill  off,  at  the  same  time,  but  this  is  not  obligatory.  If  the 
injection  cannot  be  given,  30  grs.  of  powdered  ipecac,  and  15  grs. 
of  sulphate  of  zinc  in  a  cupful  of  tepid  water  make  a  prompt  emetic. 
So  also  does  a  tablespoonful  of  mustard-flour  in  water. 

In  iodoform  poisoning  give  an  emetic  followed  by  20  grains 
of  potassium  bromide. 

Poison  from  Laudanum  or  Paregoric. — Give  immediately  a 
strong  mustard  emetic  (mixture  of  two  teaspoonfuls  of  flour  of 
mustard  in  half  a  cupful  of  water)  and  force  down  the  throat.  Fill 
the  stomach  with  warm  water  and  send  for  physician.  Forcibly 
keep  the  patient  awake. 


128 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


A  stomach-pump  is  made  of  a  glass  funnel  and  a  soft  thick- 
walled  rubber  tube  about  6  feet  long.  To  one  end  of  this  a  large 
sized  glass  funnel  is  firmly  fixed.  The  other  end  is  dipped  in 
glycerine,  and  the  patient  is  directed  to  swallow  it.  When  the 
swallowing  has  commenced  a  little  gentle  pressure  passes  the  tube 
on  to  the  stomach,  which  it  will  have  reached  when  rather  less  than 
half  its  length  has  disappeared.  Some  warm  water  is  then  poured 
into  the  funnel,  and  while  it  is  yet  full  it  is  quickly  depressed  into 
a  basin.  The  tube  being  now  filled  with  water,  and  the  funnel 
end  being  lower  than  the  stomach  end,  a  syphon  action  is  established, 
and  the  stomach  is  rapidly  and  easily  emptied.  When  the  flow 
has  ceased  a  pint  or  two  of  warm  water  ought  to  be  poured  into  the 
stomach  and  likewise  evacuated,  and  this  should  be  repeated  as 
long  as  is  necessary-. 


Diagram  to  show— (<J)  the  position  of  the  tube  when  emp- 
tying the  stomach;  (6)  when  filling  the  stomach;  (c)  the 
opening  of  the  larynx,  past  which  the  tube  is  earned  by 
swallowing.  When  the  patient  cannot  be  induced  to 
swallow,  then  the  mouth  must  be  opened,  and  the  point 
of  the  tube,  as  it  is  passed,  must  be  pressed  backwards 
against  the  posterior  wall  of  the  pharynx  {d) . 


Acetanilid,  or  Antifebrin,  sometimes  causes  alarming  symp- 
toms, especially  in  doses  above  8  gr.  Treatment:  Induce  vomiting, 
keep  the  patient  warm  in  bed,  give  a  teaspoonful  of  sal  volatile 
(but  no  other  alcohol),  and,  if  there  are  indications  of  coUapse, 
subcutaneous  injections  of  ether  and  caffeine.  Four  hours  after 
the  dose  has  been  taken,  brandy  may  be  given  in  teaspoonful  doses 
well  diluted  with  water. 

Pilocarpine  is  very  useful  in  poisoning  by  alcohol  and  belladonna. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  129 

Acid,  Acetic. — The  glacial  acid  is  most  dangerous,  as  it  causes 
corrosion  of  the  cesophagus  and  stomach.  This  is  the  trouble  with 
all  corrosive  acids  and  alkalies:  they  practically  destroy  the  mucous 
membrane  with  which  they  come  into  contact,  and  make  the  tissues 
so  tender  that  the  employment  of  violent  measures  for  relief,  such  as 
vomiting,  or  even  the  administration  of  carbonates,  is  in  itself 
dangerous.  Neutralization  of  the  acid  is  the  first  thing  to  effect, 
and  for  this  purpose  a  mixture  of  soft  soap,  1  part,  with  water,  10 
parts,  is  eflFectual.  So  also  saccharated  solution  of  lime,  calcined 
magnesia,  chalk,  or  bicarbonate  of  soda  with  water,  followed  by 
olive  oil  or  not  too  warm  gruel.     Give  also  a  dose  of  morphine. 

Acid,  Carbolic. — While  getting  the  stomach-pump  ready,  let 
the  patient  drink  olive  oil  or  cod-liver  oil  freely,  or  give  the  whites 
of  half  a-dozen  eggs.  Wash  out  the  stomach  with  a  solution  of  4  oz. 
of  Epsom  or  Glauber's  salts  in  a  quart  of  tepid  water,  until  the 
washings  cease  to  smell  of  the  acid.  Then  give  an  ounce  or  two 
of  olive  oil,  and  sustain  the  patient  with  brandy  or  sal  volatile. 

Acid,  Hydrochloric. — Give  soap  and  water,  and  otherrose  treat 
as  described  under  Acid,  Acetic. 

Acid,  Hydrocyanic. — Death  ensues  so  quickly  that  it  seldom 
happens  that  antidotes  are  possible.  In  any  case  action  must  be 
pronlpt.  Give  the  patient  (1)  stimulants  (whisky,  etc.),  (2)  an 
emetic  (not  apomorphia),  and  (3)  the  chemical  antidote.  One 
cannot  be  wrong  in  putting  the  patient's  head  under  the  cold  water 
tap,  or  giving  him  the  ammonia-bottle  to  sniflf,  while  making  the 
chemical  antidotes — a  mixture  of  liquor  fern  perchlor,  oz.  j ;  Uq. 
ammon.  dram,  ij,  and  water  oz.  v. 

Acid,  Nitric. — Treatment  as  for  glacial  acetic  add,  with  liberal 
use  of  oil. 

Acid,  Oxalic. — Give  saccharated  solution  of  lime,  2  oz.  or  more 
diluted,  or  2  oz.  of  prepared  chalk  made  into  milk  with  water. 
Then  use  the  stomach  pump,  washing  the  stomach  well,  and  dose 
with  soap  and  water,  followed  by  1  oz.  of  castor  oil.  Emetics 
generally  fail  to  act. 

Acid,  Sulphuric. — Soap  or  water  or  any  alkali  that  is  handy. 
Prompt  action  is  imperative.  Avoid  the  stomach  pump  and 
vomiting.  After  free  administration  of  alkalies  give  olive  oil  and 
demulcent  drinks  and  a  hypodermic  injection  of  morphine  to  allay 
shock. 


130  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Aconite. — The  liniment  is  sometimes  taken  in  error,  either  alone 
or  with  belladonna.  In  any  case  empty  the  stomach  by  the  pump. 
Emetics  are  much  too  slow.  Then  put  the  patient  in  bed,  with 
hot-water  bottles  at  the  feet  and  chest,  and  give  hot  gin  and  water, 
whisky,  brandy,  or  sal  volatile. 

Alcohol. — When  excessive  drinking  has  brought  on  symptoms 
of  poisoning,  get  the  victim's  stomach  emptied  by  emetics  or  pump, 
always  washing  out  thoroughly  besides  merely _  emptying,  then  do 
all  that  is  possible  to  keep  him  awake  and  active,  first  by  a  2  oz. 
dose  of  liq.  ammon.  acet.,  then  cold  douches,  preferably  on  head 
and  neck,  and  strong  coffee. 

Ammonia. — Give  dilute  acetic  acid  or  lime  juice  freely,  and 
follow  it  with  1  oz.  of  olive  oil  and  gruel  drinks. 

Antipyrin. — Symptoms  of  poisoning  such  as  are  mentioned 
under  Acetanilid  have  been  met  with.  Give  the  patient  teaspoon- 
ful  doses  of  equal  parts  of  sal  volatile  and  spirit  of  ether. 

Arsenic. — Emetic  or  stomach-pump,  and  meanwhile  mix  8  oz. 
of  liq.  ferri  perchlor.  fort,  with  about  1  gallon  of  water,  and  add 
to  it  a  solution  of  1  lb.  of  washing  soda  in  H  gallon  of  hot  water; 
quickly  strain  through  a  towel,  and  give  the  precipitate  ad  lib. 
mixed  with  water.  Or,  instead  of  this,  give  dialysed  iron — say,  4 
oz.,  followed  by  Y2  oz.  of  common  salt  in  water.  Calcined  magnesia 
is  also  good,  but  let  the  patient  first  take  1  oz.  of  tr.  ferri  perchlor, 
and  dram.  ij.  mag.  calc.  in  1  pint  of  water.  Gruel  or  white  of  egg 
should  follow,  and  stimulants  freely. 

Atropine,  or  Belladonna. — Emetic  or  stomach-pump  if  the 
poison  has  been  taken  within  six  hours.  Otherwise  give  Yi  gr.  of 
morphia  hypodermically,  and  infusion  or  tincture  of  jaborandi 
by  the  mouth.  This  should  be  followed  up  by  stimulants  and 
hourly  hypodermic  injections  of  morphine  (K  gr-)  or  pilocarpine 
(Mgr.). 

Camphor. — Some  people  take  Rubini's  tincture  too  freely,  and 
deaths  have  resulted.  Empty  the  stomach  and  give  stimulants, 
keeping  the  patient  warm. 

Cantharides. — Not  a  common  poison.  Produce  vomiting 
by  apomorphia,  or  wash  out  the  stomach  with  the  pump;  then  give 
this  draught:  Ol.  ricini  dram,  vj.,  spt.  ammon.  arom.  dram,  j.,  tr. 
opii  dram,  ss.,  aq.  menth.  pip.  oz.  j.  Follow  this  up  with  barley- 
water  or  gruel. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  131 

Caustic  Potash  or  Soda. — Dilute  acetic  acid,  and  otherwise  as 
directed  under  Ammonia. 

Chloral  Hydrate. — Emetic  (apomorphine  preferably)  or 
stomach-pump;  then  strychnine  (^V-gr.  doses),  hypodermically  or 
by  stomach,  and  keep  the  patient  in  bed,  with  blankets  heaped  up. 
Also  give  nitrite-of-amyl  inhalation  (5  minims)  occasionally,  and  do 
all  that  is  possible  to  keep  the  patient  awake. 

Corrosive  Sublimate. — Raw  white  of  eggs — a  dozen  or  more — 
before  and  after  emetic  or  stomach-pump. 

Creosote. — Emetic  (apomorphine)  or  stomach-pump,  followed 
by  olive  oil  (4  oz.),  gruel,  and  a  liberal  dose  of  morphia. 

Lead,  Sugar  of. — Emetic  or  stomach-pump,  with  warm  solution 
of  Epsom  or  Glauber's  salts;  then  barley  water,  soured  wath  acid, 
sulphuric,  arom.  Purge  with  the  castor-oil  draught  mentioned 
under  Cantharides. 

Morphia  and  Opium. — Empty  the  stomach  by  pump,  and  do 
all  that  is  possible  to  keep  the  patient  awake  by  walking,  pinching, 
cold-water  cloths,  etc.  Give  atropine  (1-20  gr.)  hypodermically 
and  strong  cofifee  to  drink,  also  ammonia  to  inhale. 

Mtre. — Emetic,  and  gruel  or  other  demulcent  drinks. 

Nux  Vomica  and  Strychnine. — After  the  stomach  has  been 
emptied  (apomorphine  is  best  for  this),  give  a  liberal  dose  of  chloral 
hydrate — say,  scruple,  ij.  with  potass,  brom.  dram.  ij.  to  an  adult — 
and  should  a  tetanic  convulsion  come  on  give  chloroform  by  in- 
halation. Repeat  the  bromide  (dram,  j.)  every  half -hour,  and  keep 
up  the  chloroform  inhalations. 

Paraffin  Oil  and  other  Petroleum  Products. — Empty  the 
stomach  and  give  spt.  ammon.  arom.  dram  ss.  and  spt.  aetheris 
dram  ss.  every  hour,  with  a  teaspoonful  of  brandy  occasionally. 
Keep  the  patient  warm. 

Tobacco. — Empty  the  stomach,  give  liq.  strychnine  hydochlor. 
m  X.  and  stimulants  freely, 

Vermin-Killers. — The  treatment  should  be  for  arsenic  and 
strychnine.  Empty  the  stomach;  then  give  dialysed  iron  oz.  ij., 
followed  by  potass,  bromid.  oz.  ss.  in  a  cupful  of  water,  chloroform 
inhalations,  and  gruel  freely. 


132  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Weed-Killer. — As  for  arsenic-poisoning,  but  after  the  stomach 
has  been  emptied  give  liq.  ferri  perchlor.  oz.  j.  in  a  pint  of  tepid 
water,  followed  by  1  drachm  of  calcined  magnesia. 

White  Precipitate^ — Treat  as  for  corrosive  sublimate,  but 
first  wash  the  stomach  well  out  with  two  quarts  of  water  (96° 
Fahr.)  containing  the  whites  of  three  or  four  eggs. 


COMMON  ACCIDENTS— USEFUL  REMEDIES 

Swallowing  Pin  or  Piece  of  Glass. — Give  solid  farinaceous  food. 

Avoid  purgatives  or  aperients. 

Clothes  on  Fire. — Instantly  roll  the  patient  in  a  woolen  rug, 
carpet,  or  blanket,  thus  smothering  the  fire. 

A  Bruise. — Smear  with  a  small  lump  of  fresh  butter  immediately . 
If  fresh  butter  is  not  at  hand,  use  olive  oil.  In  either  case  renew 
the  application  every  few  minutes  for  two  or  three  hours. 

Stunned. — When  one  is  stunned  by  a  fall  on  the  head,  immedi- 
ately loosen  his  collar,  neckerchief,  etc.  Lay  him  fiat  on  his  back, 
sprinkle  water  in  the  face,  give  fresh  air,  keep  the  crowd  away.  Do 
not  try  by  loud  voice  to  make  the  patient  speak.  If  the  case  be 
severe  and  sickness  supervenes,  send  instantly  for  a  wise  physician. 

Scalds  or  Burns. — Instantly  and  liberally  apply  dry  ...mr,  and 
keep  it  in  place  by  a  bandage.  Another  excellent  application  is 
"prepared  lard" — that  is,  lard  without  salt.  E>ruggists  keep  it. 
If  only  salt-lard  is  at  hand,  wash  out  the  salt  in  cold  water.  Do  not 
apply  cold  water,  salt,  spirits,  or  vinegar.  If  the  bum  is  in  the  leg 
or  foot,  slit  the  stocking,  so  as  to  avoid  breaking  the  skin. 

Sunstroke. — Send  for  the  physician.  In  the  meantime,  the 
patient  should  be  placed  in  a  recumbent  position  in  the  coolest 
possible  place,  with  a  free  current  of  air.  The  clothes  should  be 
removed  and  cold  water  applied  to  the  whole  surface;  or,  if  the 
symptoms  be  urgent,  the  clothes  should  immediately  be  saturated 
with  cold  water,  without  waiting  to  remove  them.  If  the  respiratory 
movements  be  failing  and  feeole,  the  cold  douche  is  a  powerfiil 
exciter;  but,  if  the  breathing  be  rapid  and  laborious,  it  is  better  to 
envelop  the  body  in  a  wet  sheet  and  to  quicken  evaporation  and 
cooling  by  a  fan  or  a  pair  of  bellows.  If  the  patient  can  swallow, 
let  him  drink  iced  water  freely.  Whether  he  can  drink  or  not,  iced 
water  may  from  time  to  time  be  injected. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  133 

Boils. — Cover  with  a  Burgundy-pitch  plaster,  renewing  it  daily. 
So  soon  as  the  boil  breaks,  squeeze  out  contents,  including  core, 
and  renew  the  plaster  as  Ixifore.  The  old-fashioned  thorough 
application  of  a  mixture  of  common  soap  and  brown  sugar  is  also 
good. 


BORAX,  AND  ITS  USES  IN  THE   HOUSEHOLD 

Borax  has  become  almost  as  indispensable  an  article  in  every 
household  as  salt  and  pepper. 

Keep  silver  bright  by  occasionally  putting  in  strong  borax 
water,  which  is  boiling  hot  when  the  silver  is  added. 

Stains  upon  tablecloths  and  napkins  may  be  readily  washed 
out  if  borax  is  put  in  the  water. 

A  little  borax  water  boiled  in  the  coffee  pot  twice  a  week  for 
fifteen  minutes  sweetens  and  purifies  it. 

To  cleanse  window  glass  simply  use  warm  water  and  borax, 
no  seap.     Wipe  dry  and  polish  with  crumpled  newspapers. 

For  the  shampoo  use  one  teaspoonful  to  two  quarts  of  warm 
water.  It  acts  directly  on  the  scalp,  keeping  it  in  a  healthy  con- 
dition. 

Nothing  will  so  successfully  soften  hard  water  as  borax.  Use 
it  in  the  proportion  of  a  large  handful  to  ten  gallons  of  water.  The 
texture  of  the  finest  linen  and  cotton  will  not  be  injured  by  its  use. 

As  a  dentifrice  and  mouth  wash  borax  is  unexcelled.  It  cleanses 
the  mouth,  hardens  the  gums,  and  relieves  cankers.  In  using  it  for 
the  teeth  make  a  powder  of  one  ounce  each  of  powdered  borax  and 
pulverized  castile  soap  and  two  ounces  of  precipitated  chalk. 

Bags  made  of  cheese  cloth,  about  eight  inches  square,  filled 
with  oatmeal,  some  powdered  borax,  pulverized  castile  soap,  and  a 
little  powdered  orris  root  and  used  in  the  bath  are  delightfully 
refreshing. 

A  box  of  powdered  borax  is  indispensable  on  the  toilet  table 
and  as  a  disinfectant  and  will  prove  a  valuable  aid  in  procuring 
cleanliness  at  the  kitchen  sink.  And  if  it  were  more  frequently 
used  a  great  amount  of  waste  might  be  prevented  in  the  larder. 


134  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  prevent  labels  from  moulding  in  damp  cellars,  dissolve 
borax  in  the  water  used  to  make  the  paste. 

Mildew,  as  a  rule  is  very  hard  to  remove,  but  an  application 
of  chalk  and  borax  spread  on  thickly  and  placed  in  the  sun  will 
cause  the  spot  to  disappear. 


USES  OF  SALT  IN  THE  HOUSE 

A  little  salt  rubbed  on  the  cups  will  take  off  tea  stains, 

A  small  quantity  put  into  whitewash  will  make  it  stick  better. 

Salt  is  effective  as  a  means  of  deodorizing  sewer  gas. 

Salt  in  the  water  is  an  aid  in  cleaning  glass  bottles  and  chamber 
wear. 

Common  table  salt  is  a  great  aid  in  house-cleaning  time.     It 
is  excellent  for  cleaning  carpets. 

Salt  may  be  used  to  scour  marble  washstands,  and  mixed  with 
vinegar  it  is  good  for  scouring  copper  utensils. 

Salt  mixed  with  lemon  juice  will  remove  iron-rust.     Wet  the 
spots  with  it,  and  then  hold  over  a  vessel  of  hot  water. 

Fresh   ink  stains  may  be  removed  from  carpets  by  an  applica- 
tion of  salt. 

Wash  matting  with  warm  water  containing  a  pint  of  salt  to  a 
gallon  of  water,  and  quickly  rub  it  with  a  clean,  dry  cloth. 

Use  salt  and  water  to  clean  willow  furniture;  apply  with  a 
brush  and  rub  dry. 

Prints  rinsed  with  salt  in  the  water,  will  hold  their  color  and 
look  brighter. 

If  your  coal  fire  is  low  throw  on  a  tablespoonful  of  salt,  and  it 
will  help  it  very  much. 

Salt  thrown  into  the  oven  immediately  after  anjrthing  has  been 

burned  in  it  will  make  the  odor  less  objectionable. 

Silk  handkerchiefs  and  ribbons  should  be  washed  in  salt  and 
water  and  ironed  wet  to  obtain  the  best  results. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  135 

Salt  moistened  with  lemon-juice  will  take  almost  all  stains 
off  the  hands. 

The  popular  idea  that  salt  applied  to  the  eyes  will  cause  smarting 
is  wrong.     People  forget  that  tears  are  always  salt. 

Bad  dyspepsia  can  be  helped  by  dissolving  pinches  of  salt  on  the 
tongue  after  eating,  or  when  there  is  a  sense  of  oppression. 

Two  or  three  swallows  of  rather  strong  salt  water  will  cure 
heartburn  for  the  time. 

Neuralgia  of  the  feet  and  limbs  can  be  cured  by  bathing  night 
and  morning  with  salt  and  water  as  hot  as  can  be  borne. 

Where  a  child  is  inclined  to  bow  legs  or  to  have  a  weak  back, 
rub  it  night  and  morning  with  strong  salt  water. 

Salt  and  water  held  in  the  mouth,  after  having  a  tooth  pulled, 
will  stop  bleeding. 

Salt  used  once  a  day  is  an  excellent  dentifrice,  tending  to  keep  off 
tartar.     It  is  said  to  retard  receding  gums. 

A  half  teaspoonful  »f  salt  added  to  a  cup  of  hot  water — which 
many  persons  take  each  morning — will  make  it  palatable. 

Do  not  gargle  with  salt  water.  Throat  specialists  consider  it 
injurious  to  the  tender  mucous  membrane  of  the  nose. 

Salt  water  rots  the  hair,  so  never  fail  to  rinse  with  fresh  water 
after  sea  bathing. 

Two  teaspoonfuls  in  half  a  pint  of  tepid  water  is  an  emetic, 
always  on  hand,  and  is  an  antidote  for  poisoning  from  nitrate  of 
silver. 

For  toothache  or  pain  in  the  face:  Mix  salt  with  the  yolk  of 
an  egg  until  about  the  consistency  of  mustard,  and  use  same  as  a 
mustard  plaster.     This  remedy  is  also  good  for  snake  bites. 

To  relieve  a  sick  headache  take  half  a  teaspoonful  of  common 
salt  as  soon  as  the  first  symptoms  appear.  It  will  often  prove  its 
efficacy  in  less  than  half  an  hour. 

Hemorrhages  of  the  lungs  or  stomach  are  promptly  checked 
by  small  doses  of  salt.  The  patient  should  be  kept  as  quiet  as 
possible. 


136  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  very  simple  remedy  for  weak  or  inflamed  eyes  is  to  open  and 
shut  them  several  times  in  warm  salt  water.  This,  to  have  any 
efiect,  should  be  done  several  times  a  day. 

When  anything  has  been  spilled  on  the  stove,  or  milk  has 
boiled  over  and  a  sufTocating  smoke  arises,  sprinkle  the  spot 
with  salt,  and  it  will  quickly  disappear. 

If  soot  has  fallen  on  a  carpet  scatter  salt  over  it.  The  soot 
adheres  to  the  salt  when  it  is  brushed  up  lightly,  and  the  carpet  is 
left  perfectly  clean.  The  salt  should  be  thoroughly  brushed  out 
of  the  carpet  after  being  used. 

When  a  chimney  catches  fire  throw  salt  upon  the  fire  below, 
shut  off  all  the  drafts  possible  (a  piece  of  old  wet  carpet  held  before 
the  grate  is  an  excellent  thing  to  use  in  shutting  off  the  draught), 
and  the  fire  will  slowly  go  out  of  itself. 

Try  a  bandage  of  hot  salt  outside  the  face  for  neuralgia;  fill 
the  mouth  with  hot  salt  in  case  of  toothache ;  put  a  little  hot  salt  in  a 
piece  of  muslin,  and  then  put  it  in  the  ear  for  a  second  or  two  when 
earache  is  troulDlesome. 

An  excellent  tonic  for  nervous  people  is  to  take  salt  rubs  twice 
a  day.  As  sea-salt  dissolves  slowly,  some  of  it  can  be  kept  in  solu- 
tion in  a  glass  jar  to  be  ready  when  needed.  The  entire  salt  bath  is 
also  good. 

A  remedy  for  night  sweats  is  a  salt  shirt — or  salted  shirt 
would  be  better.  Immerse  the  night-shirt  or  gown  in  a  saturated 
solution  of  common  salt,  drying  it  thoroughly,  and  then  wearing  it 
at  night. 

Salt,  heated  dry  and  applied  to  the  outer  surface  over  the  seat  of 
inflammation  or  congestion,  will  give  almost  instant  relief,  while 
application  of  a  strong  hot  solution  of  salt  in  water  or  vinegar  acts 
like  magic  upon  toothache,  earache,  neuralgic  headache,  and  all 
that  brood  of  distressing  ills. 

Half  a  teaspoonf  ul  or  more  of  common  salt,  taken  as  soon  as  the 
premonitory  symptoms  of  an  attack  of  megrims  begin  to  show 
themselves,  will  frequently  cut  it  short  in  about  half  an  hour. 
Similar  treatment  has  also  proved  of  service  in  epilepsy,  the  ex- 
planation being  probably  in  both  cases  that  a  violent  reflex  action 
is  set  up. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  137 

To  Cure  a  Wen. — Wash  it  with  common  salt  dissolved  in  water 
every  day,  and  it  will  be  removed  in  a  short  time.  Or  make  a 
strong  brine  of  alum-salt;  simmer  it  over  the  fire.  When  thus  pre- 
pared, wet  a  piece  of  cloth  in  it  every  day,  and  apply  it  constantly 
for  one  month,  and  the  protuberance  will  disappear. 


A  FEW  HINTS  ON  GOOD  TABLE  MANNERS 

Table  etiquette  is  based  upon  the  fundamental  principles  of 
convenience,  neatness,  and  self-restraint.  Disregard  of  it  causes 
the  offender  to  appear  slovenly,  greedy,  and  inconsiderate  of  the 
sensibilities  of  others. 

Sit  erect  at  the  table;  don't  sprawl  with  your  elbows  on  the 
table. 

Don't  attempt  to  bring  your  mouth  down  to  your  food;  raise 
the  food  to  your  mouth. 

Don't  shake  your  napkin  out  with  a  flourish;  unfold  it  and 
spread  it  across  j^our  knees.  Raise  one  comer  of  it  to  your  lips  as 
occasion  arises. 

In  your  own  home  or  in  a  house  where  you  expect  to  be  a  guest 
for  several  meals,  fold  your  napkin  when  you  are  through  with  it. 
If  a  guest  for  one  meal  only,  crumple  the  napkin  sUghtly  and  lay  it 
unfolded  beside  your  plate.  The  assumption  is,  of  course,  that  it 
will  not  be  used  again  until  it  is  washed. 

Do  not  break  crackers  into  your  soup.  Look  at  the  next  person 
you  see  doing  it,  and  observe  what  an  unsavory  looking  dish  it  pro- 
duces. 

Never  dip  crackers  or  bread  into  any  sort  of  liquid. 

In  dipping  up  soup  move  the  spoon  toward  the  outer  edge  of 
the  dish.     Take  the  soup  from  the  side  of  the  spoon. 

When  in  doubt,  use  your  fork,  is  a  pretty  fair  table  rule.  The 
knife,  of  course,  is  absolutely  tabooed  except  for  cutting  and  spread- 
ing.    The  spoon  is  used  only  for  liquids  and  soft  desserts. 

Vegetables  served  as  side  dishes  are  usually  eaten  with  a  fork. 

In  cutting  meat,  take  the  knife  in  the  right  hand,  and  the  fork 
in  the  left,  cut  off  a  proper  mouthful,  lay  the  knife  down  beside  the 
plate,  transfer  the  fork  to  the  right  hand,  holding  the  tines  pointed 
downward,  and  raise  the  meat  to  the  mouth.  It  aounds  slow,  to  be 
sure,  but  rapid  eating  is  neither  healthful  nor  pleasant  to  watoh. 


138  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

VARIOUS  USES  FOR  AMMONIA 

A  little  ammonia  in  tepid  water  will  soften  and  cleanse  the  skin. 

Spirits  of  ammonia  inhaled  will  often  relieve  a  severe  headache. 

Doorplates  should  be  cleaned  by  rubbing  with  a  cloth  wet  in 
ammonia  and  water. 

If  the  color  has  been  taken  out  of  silks  by  fruit  stains  ammonia 
will  usually  restore  the  color. 

A  tablespoonful  of  ammonia  in  a  gallon  of  warm  water  will 
often  restore  the  color  in  carpets;  it  will  also  remove  whitewash  from 
them,  restoring  color. 

One  or  two  tablespoonfuls  of  ammonia  added  to  a  pail  of 
water  will  clean  windows  better  than  soap. 

A  few  drops  in  a  cupful  of  warm  water,  applied  carefully,  will 
remove  spots  from  paintings  and  chromos. 

When  acid  of  any  kind  gets  on  clothing,  spirits  of  ammonia  ^'ill 
kill  it.     Apply  chloroform  to  restore  the  color. 

Keep  nickel,  silver  ornaments  and  mounts  bright  by  rubbing 
with  woolen  cloth  saturated  in  spirits  of  ammonia. 

Grease  spots  may  be  taken  out  with  weak  ammonia  in  water; 
lay  soft  white  paper  over  and  iron  with  a  hot  iron. 

Ammonia  applied  two  or  three  times  on  a  fresh  cold-sore  will 
kill  it.     It  will  drive  it  away,  if  used  when  the  cold-sore  is  first  felt. 

To  clean  black  silk,  sponge  on  both  sides  with  weak  ammonia 
water,  then  roll  up  on  a  roller  and  leave  until  thoroughly  dry.  Will 
come  out  very  nicely  and  repay  the  trouble. 

Ammonia  should  not  be  used  in  the  evening,  or  near  a  fire, 
or  the  bottle  left  uncorked,  because  in  its  way  it  is  dangerous;  its 
volatile  character  makes  the  escape  of  an  inflammable  gas  possible; 
the  fumes  should  not  be  breathed,  and  on  no  account  should  a 
particle  of  it  be  swallowed.  Remember,  then,  to  have  a  bottle 
uncorked  only  long  enough  to  pour  out  the  required  quantity.  Use 
a  rubber  cork  in  the  bottle.     Like  kerosene,  it  is  a  bad  master. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  139 


THE  USES  OF  LEMONS 

Lemons  are  one  of  the  most  useful  fruits  in  our  domestic 
economy. 

Lemonade  is  not  only  a  luxury,  but  exceedingly  wholesome.  It 
is  a  good  temperance  drink. 

The  juice  of  a  half  of  a  lemon  in  a  glass  of  water,  without  sugar, 

will  frequently  cure  a  sick  headache. 

If  the  hands  be  stained,  there  is  nothing  that  will  remove  the 
stain  better  than  a  lemon,  or  a  lemon  and  salt. 

After  the  juice  has  been  squeezed  from  the  lemon  the  refuse 
can  be  used  for  the  purpose. 

Lemon  juice  and  sugar  mixed  very  thick,  is  useful  to  relieve 
coughs  and  sore  throats.  It  must  be  very  acid  as  well  as  sweet. 
Continue  the  use  of  them  for  several  weeks. 

Lemons  are  an  excellent  remedy  in  pulmonary  diseases. 
When  used  for  lung  trouble  from  six  to  nine  a  day  should  be  used. 

Hot  lemonade  will  break  up  a  cold  if  taken  at  the  start.  Make 
it  the  same  as  cold  lemonade,  only  use  boiling  water  instead  of  cold 
water  and  use  about  one-half  as  much  sugar. 

For  feverishness  and  unnatural  thirst,  soften  a  lemon  by  rolling 
on  a  hard  surface,  cut  oflf  the  top,  add  sugar,  and  work  it  down  into 
the  lemon  with  a  fork,  then  suck  it  slowly. 

A  baked  lemon  is  an  excellent  remedy  for  hoarseness,  and  one 
often  resorted  to  by  singers  and  public  speakers.  The  lemon  is 
baked  like  an  apple,  and  a  little  of  the  heated  and  thickened  juice 
squeezed  over  lump-sugar. 

More  juice  is  obtained  from  lemons  by  boiling  them.  Put  the 
lemons  into  cold  water  and  bring  slowly  to  a  boil.  Boil  slowly  until 
they  begin  to  soften ;  remove  from  the  water  and  when  cold  enough 
to  handle  squeeze  until  all  the  juice  is  extracted,  strain  and  add 
enough  loaf  or  crushed  sugar  to  make  it  palatable,  being  careful 
not  to  make  it  too  sweet.  Add  about  twice  as  much  water  as  there 
is  juice.  This  preparation  may  be  made  every  morning,  or  enough 
may  be  prepared  one  day  to  last  three  or  four  days,  but  it  must  be 
kept  in  a  cool  place. 


140  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  take  out  iron  rust  cover  the  spot  with  fine  salt  and  saturate 
with  lemon  juice  and  lay  on  the  grass.     Repeat  if  necessary. 

The  discomfort  caused  by  sore  and  tender  feet  may  be  les- 
sened if  not  entirely  cured  by  applying  slices  of  lemons  to  the  feet. 

To  cure  chilblains  take  a  piece  of  lemon,  sprinkle  fine  salt  over 
it  and  rub  the  feet  well.     Repeat  if  necessary. 

The  girl  with  a  blotchy  skin  would  be  greatly  benefited  by 
taking  the  juice  of  a  lemon  squeezed  into  a  glass  of  hot  water. 

The  pulp  of  a  lemon  rubbed  on  the  roots  of  the  hair  will  stop 

ordinary  cases  of  falling  out. 

The  dark  line  around  the  neck,  caused  by  wearing  high  collars, 
can  easily  be  removed  by  applying  lemon  juice  each  morning,  and 
at  night  before  retiring. 

The  juice  of  a  lemon  dissolved  in  as  much  sugar  as  will  hold  the 
solution  and  applied  with  a  camel's  hair  brush  several  times  a  day 
will  cause  freckles  to  disappear. 

A  very  nourishing  drink  for  a  convalescent  is  to  add  a  fresh  egg, 
beaten  as  light  as  possible,  to  a  glass  of  strong  lemonade.  The 
lemon  will  destroy  the  raw  animal  taste  that  is  so  ofifensive  to  some. 

Clear  lemon  juice  is  very  irritating;  the  powerful  acid  of  the 

juice  will  cause  inflammation  if  the  use  of  it  is  continued  any  length 
of  time. 

Lemon  juice  is  also  a  very  good  remedy  for  rheumatism  and 
the  so-called  biliousness  of  spring.  In  the  latter  case  the  juice 
should  be  taken  before  breakfast.  The  pulp  may  also  be  eaten, 
avoiding  every  particle  of  skin. 

A  bilious  attack  may  be  soon  overcome  by  taking  the  juice  of 
one  or  two  lemons  in  a  goblet  of  water  before  retiring  and  in  the 
morning  before  rising.  When  taken  on  an  empty  stomach  the 
lemon  has  an  opportunity  to  work  on  the  system. 

Lemons  rid  the  system  of  humors  and  bile  and  leave  no  evil 
cfTccts.  Weak,  debilitated  people  sometimes  may  be  greatly  bene- 
fited by  a  free  use  of  them.  Lemon  juice  should  be  diluted  with 
water,  or  sweetened  sufhciently  so  that  it  will  not  produce  a  drawing 
or  burning  sensation  in  the  throat. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  141 

Lemon  juice  will  remove  roughness  and  vegetable  stains  from 
the  hands.  After  having  the  hands  in  hot  soapsuds  rub  them  with 
a  piece  of  lemon.  This  will  prevent  chapping  and  make  the  hands 
soft  and  white. 

A  piece  of  lemon,  or  stale  bread  moistened  with  lemon  juice, 
bound  on  a  corn  will  cure  it.  Renew  night  and  morning.  The  first 
application  will  produce  soreness,  but  if  treatment  is  persisted  in 
for  a  reasonable  length  of  time  a  cure  will  be  effected. 

To  remove  mildew  take  equal  parts  of  soap — soft  soap  is  best — 
and  fine  starch,  moisten  with  lemon  juice,  spread  the  paste  thickly 
on  both  sides  of  the  cloth,  then  expose  to  the  sun.  When  the  paste 
becomes  dry  soften  it  with  more  lemon  juice. 

Ink  Spots,  How  to  Take  Out  of  Linen  or  Calico. — Cut  a 

lemon  in  half,  and  press  the  stained  part  close  over  one  half  of  the 
lemon,  until  it  is  wet  with  the  juice.  Then  place  on  it  a  hot  iron, 
and  the  spots  will  soon  disappear. 

If  silver,  after  it  is  cleaned  is  rubbed  with  a  piece  of  lemon  and 
then  washed  and  well  dried,  it  gets  a  white  brilliancy  which  it  seldom 
has  otherwise,  and  will  keep  clean  longer  than  with  the  ordinary 
cleansing. 

Copper  utensils  of  all  sorts,  are  often  very  hard  to  clean.  A 
good  method  is  to  cut  a  lemon  in  half  and  rub  over  the  kettle  with  it. 
After  a  thorough  rubbing  the  article  should  be  carefully  rinsed  in 
clear,  cold  water  and  given  a  final  polish  with  a  soft  cloth. 

During  the  warm  months  a  sense  of  coolness,  comfort  and 
invigoration  can  be  produced  by  a  free  use  of  lemonade.  For  six 
large  glasses  of  lemonade  use  six  large,  juicy  lemons;  roll  on  a  hard 
surface,  so  that  the  juice  can  be  easily  extracted.  Peel  and  slice. 
Add  sufficient  sugar  to  sweeten,  and  stir  it  well  into  the  juice  before 
adding  the  water. 

The  Lemon  Decoction  in  Malaria. — This  remedy  has,  besides 
its  anti-malarial  efficacy,  distinct  value  as  a  tonic  to  the  stomach. 
Take  a  fresh  lemon;  cut  it  into  thin  slices,  rind  and  all;  boil  it  in 
three  tumblerfuls  of  water  in  an  earthen  pot  which  has  not  been 
previously  used  for  culinary  purposes;  prolong  the  boiling  till  the 
liquid  contents  of  the  pot  have  been  reduced  to  one-third — that  is, 
to  the  volume  of  one  tumbler.  Pass  the  decoction  through  muslin, 
squeezing  out  the  residue  of  the  lemon,  and  let  it  cool  for  several 
hours.     Let  the  whole  be  taken  in  the  early  morning,  fasting. 


142  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Lemons,  either  sliced  or  grated,  and  then  steeped  in  water  or 
spirits,  are  reviving.  Never  throw  away  any  part  of  a  lemon  or 
its  peel;  in  the  lack  of  anything  else,  this,  steeped  in  water,  is  an 
excellent  astringent  for  the  skin,  and  refreshing  at  the  same  time. 
The  same  may  be  said  of  lime — lime-water  being  one  of  the  best 
washes  for  the  skin  yet  known,  and  it  is  also  an  antidote  agauist 
disease. 

SOME  USES  FOR  COFFEE 

A  German  writer  states  that  cold  black  coffee  is  the  most 
efficacious  and  least  injurious  of  all  drinks  in  hot  weather. 

Many  will  be  glad  to  know  that  ground  coffee  digested  in  cod- 
liver  oil  quite  overcomes  the  fishy  taste  of  the  latter. 

Cofifee  is  used  for  mixing  blacking  for  the  stove,  in  order  to 
make  it  stick  closer  and  last  longer. 

To  remove  odors  from  a  sick  room,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  sprinkle 
coarse  ground  coffee  on  a  shovelful  of  burning  coals  and  thrust  it 
into  the  comers  of  the  room. 

Burnt  Coffee  an  Antiseptic  Dressing  for  Wounds. — The  action 
appears  to  be  twofold;  first,  that  produced  by  burnt  coffee  as  a  form 
of  charcoal,  and,  secondly,  that  which  is  due  to  the  pungent  aromatic 
odors  which  are  fatal  to  the  lower  organisms. 


ALUM  AND  ITS  USES  IN  THE  HOUSEHOLD 

Alum  water  is  fine  for  brittle  finger  nails.     Soak  them  a  few 
minutes  just  before  retiring. 

It  will  be  well  to  apply  powdered  alum  to  a  fever  sore,  this 
will  prevent  it  from  becoming  very  unsightly  or  noticeable. 

If  you  have  a  bad  scratch,  put  on  a  paste  of  alum  moistened 

with  water. 

To  clean  gold  lace,  gently  rub  alum  on  a  soft  cloth  over  it; 
brush  away  the  alum  with  a  soft  brush. 

Mix  with  your  stove  polish  a  teaspoonful  of  pulverized  alum, 
to  give  your  stove  a  brilliant  and  lasting  lustre. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  143 

KEROSENE  AND  ITS  VARIED  USES  IN  THE 
HOUSE 

Few  people  know  the  many  uses  which  can  be  made  of  kero- 
sene. It  will  remove  stains  made  by  hot  dishes  on  polished  wood; 
it  will  take  grease  out  of  wall  paper ;  it  prevents  rust  on  fiat-irons,  and 
will  improve  the  appearance  of  stoves  if  mixed  with  the  blacking. 

Hot  water  or  kerosene  will  take  out  new  paint. 

A  few  drops  of  coal  oil  added  to  the  water  with  which  windows 
are  to  be  washed  will  quickly  cleanse  and  brighten  them. 

A  little  petroleum  added  to  the  water  with  which  waxed  or 
polished  floors  are  washed  improves  their  looks. 

Wipe  off  fly-specked  chandeliers  or  picture  frames  with  a  cloth 
dipped  in  kerosene. 

After  a  thorough  cleansing  of  your  bedsteads,  apply  kerosene 
oil  with  the  feather  end  of  a  quill. 

Clean  your  brass  bedstead  with  flannel  dipped  in  kerosene  and 
then  polish  it  with  a  chamois. 

Add  two  tablespoonfuls  of  kerosene  to  the  pail  of  water  with 
which  you  wash  grained  or  varnished  furniture. 

A  corn  cob  dried  and  soaked  in  kerosene  will  kindle  a  fire  as 
quickly  as  a  fire  brick. 

Kerosene  will  soften  boots  and  shoes  that  have  been  hardened 
by  water  and  make  them  as  pliable  as  new. 

Mix  blacking  with  kerosene  when  cleaning  Russia  iron,  and 
it  will  look  as  good  as  new. 

Rub  a  curtain  pole  with  kerosene  oil  until  it  is  perfectly 
smooth,  using  a  woolen  cloth  for  the  purpose  The  pole  rings  will 
run  much  more  easily  if  the  pole  is  treated  in  this  manner. 

If  you  find  that  your  stoves  that  are  put  aside  for  the  summer 
are  rusting,  rub  them  over  with  a  little  kerosene.  Apply  it  with  a 
flannel  cloth.     This  will  prevent  rust. 


144  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  little  bit  of  kerosene  put  in  the  boiler  on  washing  days  whitens 
and  cleans  the  clothes  wonderfully,  without  leaving  a  disagreeable 
odor;  it  will  clean  zinc,  and  make  an  oil-cloth  look  like  new, 

A  spoonful  put  in  the  starch  will  prevent  the  iron  sticking; 
it  is  good  for  wounds  and  drives  away  chilblains.  In  all  instances 
it  must  be  used  sparingly  and  be  well  mixed  or  rubbed  in. 

A  string  wet  in  kerosene  oil  and  tied  around  sugar  barrels,  lard 
cans,  preserves,  etc.,  is  said  to  keep  away  ants.  The  string  should  be 
wet  with  the  oil  every  few  days. 

A  little  kerosene  oil  is  excellent  for  cleaning  a  zinc  bath  tub. 
Rub  the  oil  on  with  a  woolen  cloth,  then  wash  it  off  with  hot  water 
and  polish  with  powdered  bath  brick.  The  result  is  very  satis- 
factory. 

A  mixture  of  one  part  of  kerosene  oil  with  three  or  four 
parts  fine  olive-oil  will  make  an  admirable  machine  oil.  For  finer 
purposes  use  a  mixture  of  kerosene  with  vaseline,  made  as  follows: 
Melt  one  part  vaseline,  and  add  to  it  seven  parts  of  kerosene; 
cool  thoroughly,  and  allow  the  cloudiness  which  takes  place  to  clear 
off  lay  depositing.     Decant  and  use  the  clear  supernatant  oil. 

If  your  sewing-machine  needs  cleaning,  oil  all  the  bearings 

with  kerosene,  used  freely.  Run  your  machine  fast  for  a  few 
minutes  unthreaded,  then  wipe  off  clean;  oil  with  machine  oil,  and 
you  will  be  surprised  to  see  how  easily  it  will  run  and  how  clean  it 
will  look. 

You  can  clean  paint  brushes  that  are  dried  full  of  paint  by 
putting  them  in  an  old  tin  can  of  coal  oil.  Let  them  soak  several 
hours,  and  if  they  have  been  neglected  for  some  time  it  may  take  a 
day  or  two.     Plenty  of  patience  and  petroleum  will  accomplish  it. 


CHARCOAL  AND  ITS  USES 

One  cubic  inch  of  fresh  charcoal  will  absorb  nearly  one 
hundred  inches  of  gaseous  ammonia. 

Charcoal  forms  an  unrivaled  poultice  for  malignant  wounds 
and  sores,  often  corroding  away  dead  flesh,  reducing  it  to  one- 
quarter  in  six  hours.  In  cases  of  what  we  csal  J  proud  flesh  it  is 
invaluable. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  145 

Charcoal,  laid  flat  while  cold  on  a  bum,  causes  the  pain  to 
abate  immediately;  by  leaving  it  on  for  an  hour  the  burn  seems 
almost  healed  when  the  burn  is  superficial. 

Charcoal  is  valuable  for  many  other  purposes.  Tainted  meat, 
surrounded  with  it,  is  sweetened;  strewn  over  heaps  of  decomposed 
pelts,  or  ovar  dead  animals,  it  prevents  any  unpleasant  odor. 

Foul  water  is  purified  by  it.  It  is  a  great  disinfectant,  and 
sweetens  ofi'ensive  air  if  placed  in  shallow  trays  around  apartments. 
It  is  so  very  porous  in  its  "minute  interior,"  it  absorbs  and  con- 
denses gases  most  rapidly. 

It  gives  no  disagreeable  odor,  corrodes  no  metal,  hurts  no 
texture,  injures  no  color,  is  a  simple  and  safe  sweetener  and  dis- 
infectant. 

A  teaspoonf  ul  of  charcoal,  in  half  a  glass  of  water,  often  relieves 
a  sick  headache;  it  absorbs  the  oases  and  relieves  the  distended 
stomach  pressing  against  the  ner\'";'-,  which  extend  from  the  stomach 
to  the  head.     It  often  relieves  constipation,  pain,  or  heartburn. 


TRY! 

Try  popcorn  for  nausea. 

Try  cranberries  for  malaria. 

Try  a  sun  bath  for  rheumatism. 

Try  ginger  ale  for  stomach  cramps. 

Try  clam  broth  for  a  weak  stomach. 

Try  cranberry  poultice  for  erysipelas. 

Try  swallowing  saliva  when  troubled  with  a  sour  stomach. 

Try  eating  fresh  radishes  and  yellow  turnips  for  gravel. 

Try  eating  onions  and  horseradish  to  relieve  dropsical  swellings. 

Try  buttermilk  for  removal  of  freckles,   tan,   and  butternut 
stains. 

Try  hot  flannel  over  the  seat  of  neuralgic  pain,  and  renew 
frequently. 


146  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Try  taking  cod-liver  oil  in  tomato  catsup  if  you  want  to  make  it 
palatable. 

Try  snuffing  powdered  borax  up  the  nostrils  for  catarrhal 

"cold  in  the  head." 

Try  hard  cider — a  wine-glassful  three  times  a  day — for  ague  and 
rheumatism. 

Try  breathing  the  fumes  of  ttirpeatine  or  carbolic  acid  to 
relieve  whooping-cough. 

Try  a  cloth  wrung  out  from  cold  water  and  put  about  the  neck 
at  night  for  sore  throat. 

Try  an  extra  pair  of  stockings  outside  of  your  shoes  when 
traveling  in  cold  weather. 

Try  walking  with  your  hands  behind  you  if  you  find  yourself 
becoming  bent  forward. 

Try  a  silk  handkerchief  over  the  face  when  obliged  to  go 
against  a  cold,  piercing  wind. 

Try  planting  sunflowers  in  your  garden  if  compelled  to  live  in  a 
malarial  neighborhood. 

Try  a  saturated  solution  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  (baking  soda) 
in   diarrhoeal  troubles;  give  freely. 

Try  a  newspaper  over  your  chest,  beneath  your  coat,  as  a  chest- 
protector,  in  extremely  cold  weather. 


PART    TWO 


Care  and  Treatment  of  Leather  and  Skins; 
Care  and  Cleaning  of  Carpets,  Rugs  and  Mattings ; 
Care  and  Improvement  of  Furniture; 
Cleaning  Bathrooms  and  Bedrooms; 
Care  of  Lamps,  Stoves  and  Metals; 
Washing,  Starching  and  Ironing; 

Kitchen  Helps  and  Conveniences; 
Mending  and  Cleaning  Laces; 
Cleaning  Silks  and  Velvets; 

Removing  all  Kinds  of  Stains; 
Cements,  Pastes  and  Glues; 

Floor  Linoleum  and  Oil  Cloth; 

Care  of  Paintings,  Frames  and  Books; 
Care  of  Man's  Wardrobe; 

Painting  and  Paperhanging ; 

Whitewashing  and  Disinfectants; 
Bleaching  and  Renovating; 
Sw^eeping  and  Dusting; 

Cleaning  Furs,  and  Moth  Repellants; 
Care  of  Gloves,  Shoes  and  Slippers; 

Dyeing  and  Renovating  Clothes; 

Care  of  Refrigerators  and  Cellars; 
Stencilling  and  Sewing; 
Housekeepers'  Aids. 


'Place  the  Basket  in  a  Child' a  CaH." 


Beat  Fura  tcilh  Rubber  Hose.'' 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


CARE  OF  LEATHER  AND  SKINS 

A  good  black  dressing  for  leather  is  made  of  one  quart  of 
■\inegar,  two  ounces  of  spermaceti  oil,  and  six  ounces  each  of  molasses 
and  ivorj^-black. 

Leather  chair-seats  may  be  revived  by  rubbing  them  with 
well-beaten  white  of  egg.  Leather  bindings  of  books  may  also  be 
cleansed  by  this  method.  White  Roman  bindings  should  be  washed 
with  a  soft  flannel  saturated  with  soapsuds. 

Leather  may  be  restored  in  color,  if  not  too  far  gone,  by  a 
slight  appHcation  of  oil.  If  this  is  not  effectual,  put  on  blacking,  let 
it  dry,  brush  it  off,  and  go  over  it  again  very  lightly  with  oil.  If  very 
brown,  black  thoroughh'  and  oil  it  afterwards,  giving  it  a  final  dress- 
ing of  dissolved  gum  tragacanth. 

Chairs  and  sofas  upholstered  veith  leather  last  much  longer 

if  the  leather  is  regularly  revived  with  the  following  mixture — it 
cleans  the  leather,  and  at  the  same  time  softens  it,  and  prevents 
cracking.  Take  one  part  of  best  vinegar  and  two  parts  of  boiled 
linseed-oil,  and  shake  well  together.  Apply  a  little  on  a  soft  rag, 
and  afterwards  polish  with  a  silk  duster  or  an  old  chamois  leather. 

Neatsfoot-oil  will  not  soften  leather  in  all  circumstances; 

neither  is  castor-oil  any  better.  Oil  is  not  necessary  to  the  pliability 
of  leather — the  leather  of  the  ox,  goat,  calf,  and  kid.  It  is  necessary 
that  the  leather  be  kept  moist;  but  oil  need  not  be  the  moistening 
means.  Oil,  on  the  contrary,  keeps  the  leather  in  a  proper  state  for 
its  best  usefulness,  that  of  pliabihty. 

In  order  that  oil  may  soften  the  leather,  its  way  should  be 
prepared  by  a  thorough  wetting  of  the  leather  by  water.  Much  less 
oil  is  required  if  the  leather  is  well  saturated  with  water. 

How  to  Clean  Buckskin  Riding-Trousers. — Make  a  solution 
of  weak  soda  and  warm  water,  rub  plenty  of  soft  soap  into  the 
leather  and  allow  it  to  soak  for  two  hours,  and  then  rub  it  well  until 
it  is  quite  clean.  Afterwards  rinse  thoroughly  in  a  weak  solution 
of  warm  water,  soda,  and  yellow  soap.  When  completely  rinsed, 
dry  well  and  quickly  in  a  rough  towel,  then  pull  it  about  and  brush 
It  well.    It  will  never,  however,  be  as  soft  and  good  as  at  first. 

149 


150  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  Preserve  Skins  for  Rugs  or  Mats. — If  the  hides  are  not 
freshly  taken  off,  soak  them  in  water  with  a  little  salt  until  they  are 
soft,  as  when  green;  then  scrape  off  the  flesh  with  the  fleshing-knife, 
or  with  a  butcher's  knife  with  a  smooth  round  edge — and  with  sheep- 
skins the  wool  should  be  washed  clean  with  soft  soap  and  water,  and 
the  suds  be  thoroughly  rinsed  out.  For  each  skin  take  four  ounces 
of  salt,  four  ounces  of  alum,  and  one-half  ounce  of  borax.  Dissolve 
these  in  one  quart  of  hot  water,  and,  when  cool  enough  to  bear  the 
hand,  stir  in  sufficient  rye-meal  to  make  a  thick  paste,  with  half  an 
ounce  of  Spanish  whiting.  This  paste  is  to  be  thoroughly  spread 
over  every  part  of  the  flesh-side  of  the  skin,  which  should  be  folded 
together  lengthwise,  wool-side  out,  and  left  for  two  weeks  in  an  airy 
place;  then  remove  the  paste  and  wash  and  dry  the  skin.  When  not 
quite  dry,  it  must  be  worked  and  pulled  and  scraped  with  a  knife 
made  for  the  puipose,  shaped  like  a  chopping-knife,  or  with  a  piece 
of  hard  wood  made  with  a  sharp  edge.  The  more  the  skin  is  worked 
and  scraped  as  it  dries,  the  more  pliable  it  will  be. 

To  clean  wash  leather,  make  a  solution  of  weak  soda  and  warm 
water.  Rub  jjlenty  of  soft  soap  into  the  leather,  and  let  it  remain 
in  soak  for  two  hours,  then  rub  well  until  quite  clean.  Rinse  thor- 
oughly in  a  weak  solution  of  soda  and  yellow  soap  in  warm  water, 
but  not  in  water  only,  else  it  dries  hard.  After  rinsing,  wring  it  well 
in  a  rough  towel  and  dry  quickly,  then  pull  it  about  and  crush  it 
well  until  soft. 

To  Wash  Chamois  Leather  Gloves. — One  good  plan  is  to  take 
out  the  grease  spots  with  magnesia  or  cream  of  tartar;  then  wash 
and  squeeze  them  through  a  lather  of  white  soap  and  water;  the  water 
should  be  just  lukewarm,  as  hot  water  shrinks  them  too  much.  Rinse 
first  in  lukewarm,  then  in  cold  water,  and  stretch  carefully  into 
shape.  Hang  in  the  sun  or  warm  place  to  dry.  Another  way  is  to 
remove  the  soiled  spots,  then  to  put  on  the  glove  and  rub  it  with  a 
clean  sponge  wetted  in  lukewarm  water.  When  almost  dry  put 
them  on  the  hands  until  wholly  so,  and  that  will  prevent  them  from 
shrinking  and  becoming  too  small  to  use. 


THE  CARE  OF  MUSICAL  INSTRUMENTS 

Neither  a  piano  nor  an  organ  should  l^e  left  open  at  night,  or 
habitually  when  not  in  use.  The  changes  of  temperature  are  very 
hurtful  to  the  tune  of  any  instrument,  and  especially  the  gathering 
of  dampness,  which  not  only  interferes  with  the  tone  and  quality 
of  the  strings  and  reeds,  but  is  very  likely  seriously  to  affect  the 
works. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  151 

Pianos  in  particular  should  be  kept  in  as  even  a  temperature 
as  possible,  since  they  are  much  affected  by  alternations  of  heat  and 
cold,  dryness  and  moisture;  if  thus  exposed  they  require  very  frequent 
tuning  and  are  not  satisfactory  in  action  or  tone. 

Care  is  also  equally  desirable  in  regard  to  other  stringed 
instruments — the  violin  family,  banjos  and  guitars  and  the  like.  In 
all  of  these  the  strings  are  much  affected  by  exposure  to  dampness 
and  great  changes  of  temperature.  All  fine  instruments  should  be 
habitually  kept  in  cases  lined  with  baize  or  flannel. 

A  cleaner  that  will  keep  the  furniture  looking  nice,  remove 
the  stains  and  soil,  and  that  does  not  cost  a  great  deal  in  time  and 
money  is  a  great  boon  to  housewives.  To  reach  this  end  there  is 
nothing  better  than  a  mixture  of  linseed  oil  and  kerosene.  Some 
furniture  dealers  use  linseed  and  turpentine,  but  it  is  not  so  satis- 
factory, as  after  repeated  usings  the  turpentine  roughens  the  polished 
surface. 

When  a  piece  of  furniture  is  very  much  soiled  and  requires 
to  be  cleaned  and  polished,  first  wash  it  thoroughly  with  warm  soapy 
water,  washing  only  a  small  surface  at  a  time,  and  drying  it  quickly 
by  rubbing  it  hard  with  a  flannel.  MLx  together  one  pint  of  linseed 
oil  and  half  a  pint  of  kerosene,  wet  a  flannel  with  the  oil  mixture, 
and  rub  the  cleaned  furniture.  Rest  half  an  hour  before  taking  a 
fresh  piece  of  flannel,  and  then  by  vigorous  rubbing  polish  the  wood 
until  it  shines  like  glass.  This  will  not  injure  the  nicest  woods  and 
is  an  easy  method  of  keeping  furniture  bright.  The  odor  soon  dis- 
appears if  the  windows  are  left  open. 


THE  CARE  OF  PAINTINGS  AND  THEIR 
FRAMES 

An  oil  painting  constantly  hung  in  a  dark  place  loses  some  of 
its  vividness,  and  therefore  depreciates  in  value. 

Rub  the  backs  of  old  paintings  with  oil  of  cedar,  and  insects 
will  not  injure  them. 

Never  use  a  cloth  duster  when  dusting  gilt  frames  as  it  will 
dim  the  polish,  but  use  a  soft  brush  instead. 

It  may  not  be  known  to  all  good  housewives  that  they  can 
effectually  remove  dust  from  their  oil  paintings  by  washing  them 
with  a  soft  cloth  dipped  in  lukewarm  suds.    Wipe  dry. 


152  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Pictures  hanging  against  a  damp  wall  should  be  backed  with 
lead-paper,  such  as  is  found  in  tea-chests,  or  they  should  be  kept 
clear  of  the  wall  by  affixing  a  cork  at  each  corner  of  the  frame. 
Either  of  these  means  will  protect  the  pictures  from  the  bad  effects 
of  the  dampness. 

Cleaning  Gilt  Frames. — If  gilt  in  oil,  take  a  good  brush  and  a 
pail  of  water,  hold  the  frame  up  on  one  comer  and  wash  all  over  as 
quickly  as  possible  so  as  to  cover  every  part;  then  work  up  and  froth 
all  over;  then  rinse  immediately  with  clean  water,  and  dab  with  a 
soft  sponge  and  stand  aside  to  dry.  If  it  be  water  gilding,  it  is  a  job 
for  a  gilder,  or  you  will  be  in  danger  of  spoiling  the  work,  especially 
the  burnished  parts. 

To  remove  fly  specks  and  other  discolorations  from  a  gilt  picture 
frame,  the  water  in  which  onions  have  been  boiled  is  very  effective. 
After  the  frame  has  been  thoroughly  brushed  over  with  the  liquid, 
it  should  be  wiped  with  a  piece  of  soft  dry  flannel,  and  polished  gently 
with  the  same. 

Gilt  frames  may  be  cleaned  by  applying  hot  alcohol  with  a 
sponge,  until  all  stains  are  effaced.  The  alcohol  remaining  may  then 
be  allowed  to  dry  off  gradually.  Under  no  circumstances  rub  it 
with  a  cloth. 


THE  TREATMENT  AND  CARE  OF  BOOKS 

Never  wet  your  fingers  to  turn  over  a  leaf. 

Never  turn  down  the  corner  of  a  page  to  hold  your  place. 

Never  allow  your  books  to  get  damp,  as  they  may  mildew. 

Never  allow  them  to  get  hot,  as  the  board  may  warp,  and  the 
leather  may  crack. 

Never  put  them  on  a  shelf  high  up  near  the  ceiling  of  a  room 
lighted  with  gas,  as  the  results  of  gas  combustion  are  highly  in- 
jurious. 

Books  kept  on  ordinary  book  shelves,  and  thus  exposed  to  the 
air,  will  keep  much  better  than  those  in  bookcases  with  closed  doors. 

To  remove  ink  stains  from  a  book  apply  oxalic  acid  on  the  tip 
of  a  camel's  hair  brush  and  then  soak  it  up  with  blotting  paper. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  153 

Dust  all  books  in  the  library  before  the  cleaning  day. 

The  fumes  of  a  match  will  remove  berry  stains  from  a  book, 
paper  or  engraving. 

A  few  drops  of  oil  of  lavender  will  save  a  library  from  mould. 
One  drop  will  save  a  pint  of  ink. 

A  plate  of  perforated  zinc  about  a  foot  square  suspended  over 
a  gas-jet  is  said  to  retain  the  noxious  emanation  from  burning  gas, 
which,  it  is  well  known,  destroys  the  binding  of  books,  tarnishes 
gilding,  aud  vitiates  the  atmosphere  for  breathing. 

Always  use  a  regular  bookmark.     The  simplest,  and  one  of  the 

best,  is  a  card  as  large  as  a  small  visiting  card.  By  cutting  this  twice 
longitudinally  from  one  end  almost  to  the  other,  you  will  have  a 
three-legged  bookmark  which  rides  astraddle  on  the  page,  one  leg  on 
the  page  below  and  two  on  the  page  you  wish  the  book  to  open  at. 

Never  put  books  with  metal  clasps  or  with  decorative  nails  on 
the  shelves  by  the  side  of  other  books,  for  the  delicate  bindings  of 
the  other  books  will  sufifer.  Put  all  such  in  drawers  and  trays  by 
themselves. 

To  remove  grease-stains  from  pages  of  books,  warm  the 
parts  and  then  press  pieces  of  blotting-paper  upon  them,  so  as  to 
absorb  as  much  as  possible.  Have  some  clear  oil  of  turpentine 
almost  boiling,  again  warm  the  greased  spot,  and  then  with  a  soft 
clean  brush  apply  the  hot  turpentine  to  both  sides  of  the  spotted 
part.  By  repeating  this  the  grease  will  come  out.  Lastly,  with 
another  clean  brush,  dipped  in  rectified  spirits  of  wine,  go  over  the 
place,  and  the  grease  will  no  longer  be  seen,  nor  the  paper  marked. 


THE  CARE  AND  CLEANING  OF  CARPETS,  RUGS 
AND  MATTINGS 

Beat  carpets  on  the  wrong  side  first. 

Never  spread  rugs  or  carpets  until  the  floors  are  perfectly  dry. 

In  choosing  a  dining-room  carpet,  it  should  be  remembered 
that  small  figures  and  medium  light  colors  show  dust  less  than  dark, 
solid  colors. 


154  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  brighten  carpets,  wipe  them  with  warm  water  in  which  has 
been  poured  a  few  drops  of  ammonia. 

A  faded  carpet  is  freshened  if  wiped  off  with  a  wet  cloth  wrung 
from  strong  salt  water.  Sprinkle  floor  with  dampened  salt  and 
sweep  well. 

Ox-gall  will  not  only  remove  grease  from  carpets  but  restore 
the  colors.  One  pint  of  gall  in  three  gallons  of  warm  water  will  do 
a  large  carpet.    Table  and  floor  oil-cloths  may  be  thus  washed. 

Tea  leaves  are  good  to  sprinkle  on  all  but  very  delicate  carpets, 
before  sweeping;  it  prevents  ,dust  from  rising,  and  also  brightens 
the  colors. 

In  sweeping  carpets  use  wet  newspapers  wrung  nearly  dry  and 
torn  into  pieces.  The  paper  collects  the  dust  and  does  not  soil 
the  carpet. 

Denim  coverings  are  excellent  for  nursery  floors,  as  they  are 
easily  brushed,  and  rugs  look  well  upon  them.  Double  carpet  lining 
should  be  used  under  the  denim  to  give  the  proper  warmth  for 
cold  weather. 

In  re-laying  carpets  after  the  fall  cleaning  it  is  well  to  sprinkle 
something  under  the  edges  to  destroy  any  carpet  bugs  that  may  be 
lurking  around.  As  good  a  thing  as  can  be  used  is  a  powder  made 
of  equal  parts  of  gum  camphor  and  tobacco. 

When  the  carpet  acquires  a  dusty,  dingy  look,  it  may  be 

freshened  and  brightened  by  a  surface  washing  in  an  alum  and  water 
solution,  or  one  of  soda  and  water.  Use  a  coarse,  heavy  rag  or  a 
brush,  and  do  the  work  quickly.    Do  not  let  the  carpet  become  wet. 

If  moths  are  at  work  at  the  edge  of  the  carpet,  it  will  some- 
times suffice  to  lay  a  cloth  and  press  a  hot  flatiron  over  it;  but  a 
better  way  is  to  take  the  carpet  up,  clean  it,  wash  the  floor  with 
benzine,  and  scatter  red  pepper  on  it  before  putting  the  carpet 
lining  down. 

When  about  to  sweep  a  carpet,  either  sprinkle  coarse  salt  on 
the  carpet  or  take  the  broom  out  of  doors  and  pour  a  little  hot  water 
on  the  lower  part  of  the  brush,  which  is  shaken  so  there  will  be  no 
water  showing  on  the  carpet;  take  short,  steady  strokes,  never 
shoving  the  brush  in  front  of  j'oursclf ;  dampen  the  broom  with  water 
several  times,  if  sweeping  a  large  room. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  155 

If  ink  has  been  spilled  an  •<»  carpet,  immediately  wash  it  out 
with  sweet  milk,  after  which  sprinkle  with  white  corn  meal.  Leave 
it  over  night,  and  in  the  morning  sweep  it  up,  and  the  colors  will 
remain  bright. 

If  oil  has  been  recently  spilled  on  a  carpet  or  floor,  put  on 
plenty  of  wheat-flour  or  whiting  to  absorb  the  oil  as  much  as  possible. 
If  the  spot  is  near  a  seam,  it  is  well  to  open  the  carpet  and  place  the 
whiting  underneath  as  well.  The  next  day  sweep  up  with  a  stiff  brush 
the  flour  above  and  beneath  the  carpet,  and  put  on  plenty  of  fresh 
flour.  If  the  spots  persist  in  remaining  after  this  treatment,  they 
can  be  removed  by  rubbing  with  flannel  dipped  in  spirits  of  turpentine 
or  benzine.  Others  use  a  preparation  made  by  mixing  a  little  soap 
in  a  gallon  of  soft  warm  water,  and  then  adding  half  an  ounce  of 
borax.  Wash  the  part  well  with  a  clean  cloth,  and  the  spot  will  soon 
disappear. 

A  carpet  can  be  cleaned  advantageously  by  taking  up  and 
laying  it  in  breadths  on  boards  or  a  large  kitchen  table.  Two  and  a 
half  gills  of  ox-gall  to  a  pail  of  clear  cold  water,  applied  with  a  soft 
scrubbing-brush,  makes  an  excellent  lather  for  cleaning  a  carpet,  but 
it  should  be  quickly  washed  off  with  a  clean  old  linen  cloth  dipped 
in  clear  water,  and  rubbed  with  a  dry  cloth. 

An  Easy  Way  to  Stretch  a  Carpet. — Lay  the  carpet  in  the 
usual  way,  tacking  along  one  end  only.  Then  put  on  a  pair  of  old, 
clean  rubber  shoes,  and  commence  by  placing  one  foot  out  with  a 
sort  of  push,  as  if  starting  to  dance,  then  the  other  foot  a  step  ahead 
in  the  same  way,  holding  each  step  solid  until  the  next  is  taken,  to 
prevent  the  carpet  slipping,  until  you  come  to  the  opposite  side. 
Then  tack,  and  repeat  the  stepping  in  the  reverse  direction,  until 
the  carpet  can  be  stretched  to  cover  the  floor  as  you  wish. 

To  Clean  Carpets. — There  is  nothing  so  safe  and  serviceable  to 
clean  carpets  as  bran  slightly  moistened — only  very  slightly — just 
sufficient  to  hold  the  particles  together.  In  this  case  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  stop  and  clean  the  broom  every  few  minutes.  Sweeping  the 
carpet  after  the  bran  has  been  sprinkled  over  it  not  only  cleans  the 
carpet  and  gathers  all  the  dirt  into  the  bran,  but  keeps  the  broom 
clean  at  the  same  time.  If  too  much  damped,  apart  from  injuring 
the  carpet,  it  makes  the  work  harder,  because  the  bran  becomes 
very  heavy  if  very  damp.  The  bran  should  be  sifted  evenly  over  the 
floor,  and  then  the  room  swept  as  usual.  The  bran  scours  and 
cleanses  the  whole  fabric,  very  little  dust  is  made  while  sweeping  with 
it,  and  scarcely  any  settles  on  furniture,  pictures,  etc.,  after  the 
work  is  accomplished. 


156  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  clean  ordinary  spots  from  a  carpet,  have  a  pail  of  warm 
water  containing  a  tablespoonful  of  ammonia,  or  some  soapsuds,  and 
another  of  clean  water,  a  large  piece  of  flannel,  and  half  a  dozen  dry 
cloths  that  do  not  shed  lint:  first  wet  the  flannel  in  the  soapsuds 
and  wring  it  nearly  dry,  then  quickly  rub  about  half  a  square  yard 
of  the  carpet  with  it,  rinse  the  flannel  in  the  clear  water,  and  again 
wring  it  out,  and  rub  the  carpet  with  it,  and  then  with  the  dry  cloths 
rub  the  wet  spot  on  the  carpet  untU  it  is  dry.  As  soon  as  a  cloth  be- 
comes wet  hang  it  in  the  air  to  dry;  change  the  water  as  often  as  it 
becomes  soiled;  work  quickly,  so  that  the  carpet  may  not  become 
wet.  If  the  carpet  is  much  spotted,  use  instead  of  the  soapsuds  a 
quart  of  fresh  ox-gall  in  three  quarts  of  warm  water. 

To  clean  a  carpet  is  not  a  laborious  but  really  a  simple  process.  One 
very  soiled  and  dingy  although  not  threadbare  carpet  was  subjected 
to  the  most  severe  treatment.  On  certain  very  bad-looking  grease 
spots  was  laid  a  mixture  (equal  parts)  of  magnesia  and  fuller's  earth, 
made  into  a  paste  by  boiling  water.  This  was  put  on  hot  and  left  to 
dry,  being  brushed  off  the  day  following,  when  the  spots  were  no 
longer  to  be  seen.  Other  dirty  places  were  gone  over  with  ox-gall 
nearly  pure.  After  this,  the  carpet  was  thoroughly  washed  as  fol- 
lows: A  pail  of  hard  soap  and  water  was  prepared,  the  soap  being 
well  dissolved  by  boiling.  With  a  good  brush  (a  new  one)  dipped 
in  this  preparation  a  small  portion  of  the  carpet  was  scoured  at  a 
time,  care  being  taken  not  to  let  it  soak  through.  Next  a  flannel 
was  rubbed  well  over  the  same  spot,  rinsed  out  each  time  in  a  pail 
of  clear  cold  water.  A  third  application  was  then  made  from  a  pail 
of  water  just  soured  by  vinegar,  and  the  carpet  finally  rubbed  hard 
with  a  coarse  cloth.  Two  people  working  at  a  carpet  in  this  way 
can  manage  to  dry  it  very  evenly. 

A  Way  to  Bind  Rag  Carpet. — After  the  carpet  is  cut,  sew  it 

on  the  machine  across  the  carpet,  stitching  straight  on  a  row  of 
rags.  Use  a  short  stitch  and  good  thread  as  near  the  color  of  the 
carpet  as  possible.  Fasten  firmly  at  each  end  and  trim  off  close  to 
the  stitching.  If  will  not  pull  or  ravel,  is  neater  than  carpet-binding, 
and  at  any  time  pieces  can  be  joined  to  fit  a  room  by  overhanding 
the  stitched  edges  together. 

If  a  strip  of  webbing  two  inches  wide  is  sewed  tightly  on  the  un- 
der side  of  a  rug,  close  to  the  edge,  it  will  prevent  the  edges  from 
curling. 

When  shaking  rugs  or  mats  that  are  small  enough  to  be  done 
with  the  hands,  always  hold  them  by  the  middle  at  the  sides  and 
not  at  the  ends,  for  by  the  latter  handling  the  corners  will  soon  be 
made  to  whip  out  and  the  fringe  or  binding  to  pul'  oSE. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  157 

To  Clean  a  White  Goat-skin  Rug. — Wash  with  warm  (not  hot) 
soapsuds.  The  skin  may  not  seem  quite  so  soft  after  the  washing, 
but,  if  the  washing  is  done  quickly,  the  skin  well  rinsed  in  cold  water, 
and  dried  with  only  moderate  warmth,  being  frequently  turned  and 
shaken,  the  difference  will  be  hardly  perceptible. 

To  Handle  Large  Rugs. — Have  a  pole  heavier  than  a  clothes-prop. 
Preferably  the  pole  should  be  round,  but  will  answer  if  the  edges  are 
rounded  off  to  make  it  octagonal.  Roll  the  rug  on  this,  and  it  can 
then  be  lifted  and  carried  easily.  This  is  also  a  good  way  for  putting 
a  rug  away,  but  be  sure  to  roll  newspapers  between,  if  doing  so  in 
summer. 

The  best  way  to  clean  and  keep  a  rug  in  perfect  shape  is  to 
spread  it  out  on  a  platform,  and  with  a  large  clean  broom  go  over 
liberally  and  briskly  with  ammonia  water;  use  about  two  table- 
spoonfuls  of  ammonia  to  a  large  pail  of  water;  brush  hard  and  rinse 
several  times  with  clear  water.  Continue  to  sweep  briskly  until  all 
the  water  is  out.  Allow  to  remain  stretched  in  a  shady  place,  until 
perfectly  dry. 

If  you  have  washed  or  scrubbed  rugs  or  pieces  of  carpet,  do 
not  hang  them  on  the  line  to  dry.  Stretch  them  out  straight  and  tack 
down  to  a  floor  or  on  the  side  of  a  fence.  A  slanted  cellar  door  is 
ideal  if  large  enough.  This  keeps  the  rug  in  excellent  shape,  and  is 
especially  recommended  for  rag  or  plaited  rugs. 

Snow  as  a  Rug  Cleanser. — Take  the  rugs  outdoors  in  the  snow, 
on  a  cold  day,  when  the  ground  is  crisp  and  hard,  spread  out,  right 
side  up,  and  throw  lots  of  snow  all  over  them.  With  a  broom, 
sweep  the  snow  around  and  around  till  it  finds  the  deeply  seated 
dust.  Now  turn  over  and  beat  with  a  carpet-beater.  Remove  to  a 
clean  place  and  repeat  as  often  as  the  snow  becomes  dirty,  then 
sweep  and  roll.    Sweep  thorouglily  on  both  sides  while  rolling. 

Mattings  can  be  cleaned  by  washing  thoroughly  in  a  solution 
consisting  of  one  gallon  of  water  with  a  small  bag  of  bran  boiled  in 
it,  but  be  careful  to  dry  thoroughly. 

One  may  utilize  old  matting,  which  is  no  longer  fresh  enough 
to  look  well,  by  putting  it  under  carpets.  It  can  be  cleaned  perfectly 
by  washing  it  on  both  sides  with  hot  salt  and  water;  hang  it  on  a 
line  outdoors  to  dry. 

To  preserve  matting  covering  any  floor,  and  keep  it  perfectly  san- 
itary, go  over  it  first  with  a  damp  cloth,  let  dry  thoroughly,  and  then 
give  it  a  thin  coat  of  clear  varnish. 


158  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Matting  sewed  together  as  carpet  is  sewed,  then  bound  with 
strips  of  the  same  metal  binding  that  is  used  to  bind  oilcloth,  looks 
much  better  and  wears  much  better  than  when  tacked  down  in 
strips  in  the  usual  way. 

For  grease  spots,  cover  them  with  prepared  chalk  mixed  with 
turpentine.  This  mixture  should  be  allowed  to  remain  on  two  days 
and  then  be  brushed  oflF.  If  the  grease  spots  are  large  and  very 
greasy  looking,  it  may  be  well  to  cover  with  half  washing  soda  and 
half  prepared  chalk,  mixed  as  stiff  as  putty  with  water. 

If  it  is  not  necessary  to  lift  the  matting  in  a  room  that  is  used 
only  occasionally,  to  clean  it,  you  can  do  a  very  good  piece  of  work 
with  it  on  the  floor.  Sweep  it  twice,  the  first  time  with  a  pretty  stiff 
broom,  working  lengthwise,  then  again  working  crosswise,  the 
second  time  with  a  broom  softened  in  warm  water.  Rinse  the  broom 
often  enough  to  keep  it  clean. 

This  brightens  matting  and  in  a  small  measure  seems  to  re- 
store it  to  its  original  color.  After  the  matting  is  thoroughly  swept 
in  this  way,  wash  it  with  a  weak  borax  water.  Be  very  careful  to 
use  only  dampened  cloths,  as  water  slopped  on  will  make  you 
regret  that  you  ever  attempted  the  job.  Dust  collects  under  the 
matting  and  when  once  made  into  a  mud  puddle — and  it  takes  only 
the  minimum  amount  of  dust  to  do  this — may  never  be  entirely  re- 
moved from  the  surface  of  the  matting. 

Slate  floors  should  be  polished,  rubbing  first  with  a  smooth, 
flat  piece  of  pumice  stone,  and  finally  polish  with  rotten  stone. 

Try  cleaning  chandeliers  with  vinegar  and  salt,  or  oxalic  acid 

and  salt,  rubbing  vigorously.  Then  wash  off  this  cleaner  quickly, 
for  if  it  is  left  on,  the  metal  will  tarnish.  Brighten  with  tripoli  and 
sweet  oil. 


FUR  AND  CLOTHES  MOTHS 

To  prevent  the  damage  done  by  moths  demands  constant 
vigilance,  and  frequent  inspection.  Articles  in  constant  use  are  not 
likely  to  be  affected. 

Clothes  and  furs  should  be  thoroughly  beaten,  brushed  and 
packed  away  in  boxes  lined  with  tar  paper.  Frequent  examina- 
tions should  take  place. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  159 

Spray  with  benzine,  or  naphtha,  every  second  month  from 
April  to  September,  all  furniture,  or  cloth  lined  articles,  which  are 
left  unused. 

Sponging  with  a  very  weak  solution  of  bichloride  of  mercury 
(a  violent  poison)  is  also  eflfectual  in  protecting  from  moths. 

Repellants  are  not  of  much  value  if  applied  after  the  eggs  have 
been  deposited,  the  larvai  developed  or  the  moths  stored  and  unable 
to  escape. 

Cedar  chests  lose  their  odor  with  age,  and  then  have  lost  their 
value  as  repellants. 

Furs  and  garments  after  being  well  cleaned  and  packed,  or 
stored,  in  trunks  lined  with  heavy  tar  paper,  are  not  visited  by 
moths. 

Furniture  coverings,  carpets,  and  rugs  not  in  use,  should  be 
beaten,  brushed,  exposed  to  sunlight  and  well  sprayed  with  benzine 
before  being  hung  or  placed  away;  they  should  be  examined  every 
two  or  three  weeks  during  the  summer. 

Bags  of  cloth,  or  paper,  in  which  the  well  cleaned  articles  are 
placed,  are  tied  up,  or  sealed,  and  then  hung  up  in  closets  or  rooms. 
Large  pasteboard  boxes,  on  which  gummed  paper  is  pasted  on  the 
edges,  to  seal  up  the  box,  are  recommended. 

Tobacco,  camphor,  naphthaline  in  powder  or  balls,  pepper,  for- 
maldehyde and  cedar  chips  are  used  as  repellants,  being  so  disa- 
greeable to  the  parent  moths  that  they  are  not  likely  to  deposit 
their  eggs. 


SWEEPING 

If  brooms  are  soaked  in  strong,  hot  salt  and  water  before  using, 
the  splints  will  not  break  in  sweeping. 

Do  not  sweep  without  something"  to  keep  down  the  dust.  A 
dustpan  of  dry  snow  or  damp  sawdust  does  the  trick. 

When  a  broom  is  worn  unevenly,  soak  it  in  warm  water  for  a 
half-hour,  tie  the  stalks,  if  they  have  broken  apart,  and  trim  the 
bottom  even  with  large  sharp  scissors.  If  very  much  worn,  soak 
and  trim  the  broom,  shorten  the  handle,  and  use  it  for  a  hearth  broom. 


160 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


When  brushes  used  for  sweeping  are  put  away  with  the  han- 
dle upward,  they  become  of  less  value  as  dirt  collectors:  the  fibres  of 
the  brush  are  bent,  the  wear  is  uneven,  and  more  labor  and  time  are 
given  to  tiie  cleaning  process.  Scrubbing  brushes  should  not  be 
dried  after  using  with  the  bristles  upward  or  resting  upon  them,  but 
should  be  dried  as  shown  in  figure,  which  represents  an  easily  made 
dust-broom  and  brush  holder.  This  convenient  article  is  suspended 
at  such  a  height  from  the  floor  as  is  in  conformity  to  the  length  of 
the  brooms.  Wash  and  dust  cloths  when  dried  are  placed  in  the 
spaces  between  the  brushes. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  161 

While  sweeping,  keep  a  pail  of  warm  water  near,  frequently  dip  the 
broom  in  it  and  shake  oflF  the  water,  changing  it  as  it  becomes  soiled; 
the  wet  broom  wears  the  carpet  less  than  a  dry  one,  and  the  dampness 
keeps  the  dust  from  flying. 

Brooms  which  are  hung  up  keep  their  first  shape  better  and 
sweep  more  evenly  than  those  left  standing;  if  they  arc  dipped  in 
warm  water  every  day,  they  will  last  longer  than  if  left  dry. 

A  whisk  broom,  made  with  the  edge  slanting  so  that  one  end  is 
longer  than  the  other,  is  much  better  than  one  with  a  straight  edge 
for  brushing  the  dust  out  of  the  corners  of  the  room  and  from  the 
edge  of  the  carpets.  This  broom  is  particularly  adapted  to  brushing 
down  stair  carpeting. 

A  few  drops  of  gasoline  on  one's  broom  w-ill  sweep  the  kitchen 
rugs  clean  with  little  work.  They  must  be  taken  out  on  the  back 
porch,  however,  as  gasoline  cannot  be  used  for  any  purpose  in  a  room 
where  there  is  fire. 

A  round  paint  brush  is  the  handiest  thing  imaginable  for  dusting 
the  corners  of  window  sashes  or  any  difficult  comers  or  crevices. 
It  is  especially  handy  for  dusting  carving  and  bits  of  bric-a-brac,  or 
the  corners  of  the  stair  steps. 

An  excellent  way  to  brush  down  dusty  walls  is  to  take  a  roll 
of  cotton  batting  and  fasten  a  thick  pad  of  it  on  the  end  of  a  stick. 
With  this  go  over  all  the  wall  surface,  burning  the  cotton  as  it  be- 
comes soiled  and  renewing  the  pad. 

Many  persons  make  the  mistake  of  closing  the  registers  before 
shaking  the  furnace  fire.  Instead,  leave  them  open,  place  w^et 
cloths  over  them,  and  the  dust  that  arises  from  the  ashes  will  cling 
to  the  cloths.  If  the  registers  are  closed,  the  dust  will  settle  under- 
neath, and  when  they  are  opened,  puffs  of  dust  will  arise  and  spread 
over  the  contents  of  the  room. 

BLEACHING  CLOTHS,  STRAW,  FEATHERS, 
IVORY  AND  SPONGES 

Most  important  among  all  the  industrial  substances  used 
for  bleaching  fabrics  is  chlorine,  which  exists  as  a  greenish, 
irritating  gas  with  a  disagreeable  odor.  In  some  kinds  of  bleaching 
work  this  gas  is  used  directly,  in  others  it  is  employed  in  the  form 
of  bleaching  powder — so-called  "chloride  of  lime."  It  is  in  this 
latter  form  that  the  housekeeper  will  be  obliged  to  use  it. 


162  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Bleaching  agents  are  usually  good  disinfectants;  that  which 
can  so  disturb  an  organic  compound  as  to  destroy  its  color,  is  capable 
of  either  arresting  or  completing  the  decompositions  that  produce 
vile  odors  and  are  produced  by  organic  germs  or  ferments. 

All  of  the  bleaching  effect  that  comes  from  the  employment  of 
chloride  of  lime  is  due  to  the  amount  of  chlorine  that  is  set  free  in  the 
presence  of  water.  If  you  would  understand  what  this  means,  smell 
the  dry  bleaching  powder,  then  when  it  is  stirred  in  water._  The 
wetted  powder  gives  off  a  much  sharper,  stronger  odor,  which  is  that 
of  the  liberated  chlorine. 

After  it  has  performed  its  work  of  bleaching,  chlorine  carries 
its  action  further,  to  the  destruction  of  the  fabric.  The  industrial 
bleacher  knows  this,  and  he  is  aware  also  of  the  remedy.  His  method 
is  to  dip  the  cloth  in  the  mixture  of  water  and  bleaching  powder, 
stirring  the  fabric  about  until  bleaching  is  accomplished,  and  then, 
after  rinsing  the  cloth  out,  to  transfer  it  to  another  bath  known  as 
the  "anti-chlor,"  the  term  meaning  something  that  destroys  the 
further  eflEects  of  the  chlorine. 

For  the  home  laundry,  the  best  anti-chlor  is  the  everyday 
hyposulphite  of  soda  of  the  photographer. 

When  ready  to  bleach  fabrics  mix  four  ounces  of  chloride  of 
lime  in  each  gallon  of  water,  stirring  with  a  stick.  Place  the  washed 
fabric  in  this  mixture,  stirring  it  about  until  well-bleached.  Now, 
lifting  the  fabric,  rinsing  and  freeing  it  fairly  well  from  water,  place 
it  in  a  solution  of  four  ounces  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  to  each  gallon 
of  water. 

The  chlorine  from  the  bleaching  powder — that  is,  the  portion 
which  still  remains  in  the  fibers  of  the  fabric — goes  into  chemical 
union  with  the  hyposulphite  of  soda,  forming  a  new  chemical  com- 
pound that  is  harmless  to  cloth.  Thus  the  fabric  is  bleached  and 
the  further  harmful  effect  of  chlorine  stopped. 

After  removing  the  fabric  from  the  hyposulphite  of  soda  put 
it  through  the  usual  rinsings. 

Both  the  bleaching  powder  mixture  and  the  hyposulphite 
solution  must  be  made  freshly  for  each  wash-day's  use. 

The  hands  should  be  kept  out  of  the  bleaching  powder  mixture 
as  much  as  jjossible.  The  hyposulphite  solution  is  practically  harm- 
less to  the  hands. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  163 

Clothes  may  be  bleached  by  hanging  on  a  line  in  the  sunshine 
when  snow  is  on  the  ground.    Snow  bleaches  more  rapidly  than  grass. 

Buttermilk  Will  Bleach  Clothes. — Soak  the  soiled  or  discolored 
pieces  for  several  hours  in  buttermilk,  then  wash,  blue  and  dry  in  the 
usual  way.  After  boiling,  the  clothes  will  be  of  the  traditional 
whiteness. 

Chloride  of  lime  bleaching  is  employed  only  with  linen  and 
cottons.  Animal  fibers,  like  wool,  are  yellowed,  not  bleached,  by 
this  process. 

Not  as  good  results  in  bleaching  are  obtained  with  javelle 
water.  The  common  method  of  making  this,  is  to  boil  four  pounds  of 
washing  soda  for  ten  minutes  in  a  gallon  of  water,  then  adding  a 
pound  of  chloride  of  lime,  and  straining  off  the  clear  liquid  when  cool. 

An  improved  javelle  water  is  made  by  substituting  potassium 
bicarbonate  for  the  washing  soda.  In  either  form  of  the  javelle 
water  the  intention  is  to  do  away  with  the  rotting  effect  of  the 
chlorine  set  free  from]  chloride  of  lime.  The  hyposulphite  solution, 
however,  is  the  most  reliable  anti-chlor  that  is  known  for  household 


Bleaching  Fine  Feathers. — Place  the  feathers  from  three  to 
four  hours  in  a  diluted  solution  of  bichromate  of  potassa,  to  which 
a  small  quantity  of  nitric  acid  has  been  cautiously  added. 

To  Bleach  Sponges. — First  wash  well  in  cold  water;  then 
immerse  in  a  bath  composed  of  2  drachms  of  permanganate  of  potash 
and  1  ounce  of  strong  sulphuric  acid  to  the  gallon  of  water.  The 
duration  of  the  immersion  varies  according  to  the  size  of  the  sponge, 
etc.  To  obtain  the  color  so  much  admired,  wash  well  in  soda  water, 
then  immerse  the  sponge  in  a  solution  of  carbonate  of  potash  (4 
ounces  to  the  gallon)  until  you  have  hit  the  color,  then  wash  and  dry. 

Sponges  are  bleached  almost  snow-white  by  soaking  them  in 
diluted  muriatic  acid  for  10  or  12  hours,  washing  with  pure  water, 
immersing  in  a  solution  of  hyposulphate  of  soda,  to  which  has  been 
added  a  small  quantity  of  diluted  muriatic  acid,  again  washing,  and 
finally  drying. 

Straw  to  be  bleached  must  be  soaked  in  a  solution  of  soda  and 
moved  about  in  a  bath  containing  two  ounces  of  permanganate  of 
potassium  to  one  gallon  of  water.  When  the  straw  has  acquired  a 
light  brown  color,  it  is  washed  first  in  water  and  then  in  a  solution  of 
bisulphite  of  sodium. 


164  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  Bleach  Straw  Plait. — Expose  it  to  the  fumes  of  burning 
sulphur  in  a  close  chest  or  box,  or  immerse  it  in  a  weak  solution  of 
chloride  of  lime,  and  afterwards  wash  it  well  in  water.  Water 
strongly  acidulated  with  oil  of  vitriol,  or  oxalic  acid,  is  also  used  for 
the  same  purpose. 

The  use  of  peroxide  of  hydrogen  is  extending  for  bleaching 
purposes.  It  is  now  employed  for  the  bleaching  of  feathers  and 
also  for  tussah  silks,  for  which  it  is  admirably  adapted. 

Oil  stains  may  be  removed  from  paper  by  applying  pipe-clay, 
powdered  and  mixed  with  water  to  the  thickness  of  cream ;  leave  on 
for  four  hours. 

Bleaching  Ivory. — Take  a  double  handful  of  lime,  and  slake  it 
by  sprinkling  it  with  water,  and  then  add  three  pints  of  water;  stir 
it  up  together,  let  it  settle  ten  minutes,  and  pour  the  water  into  a 
pan ;  then  take  your  ivory  and  steep  it  in  the  lime  water  for  several 
hours,  after  which  boil  it  in  strong  alum  water,  and  dry  it  in  the  air. 

The  best  way  to  bleach  ivory  knife  handles  is,  to  rub  them 
with  the  common  Bath  brick,  clean  them  off,  dry,  wrap  the  blades 
in  paper,  lay  them  on  a  bright  tin  plate,  and  leave  in  the  sun;  biing 
in  at  night,  and  repeat  daily  until  fully  bleached. 

Cleaning  Ivory. — Take  a  piece  of  common  white  chalk,  scrape 

it  to  a  powder,  add  as  much  water  as  will  produce  a  paste,  and  apply 
this  pasts  to  the  surface  of  the  ivory.  If  the  stains  are  very  bad, 
two  or  three,  or  even  more,  applications  may  be  requisite. 

Tortoise-shell  may  very  easily  be  kept  bright.  The  best 
polish  is  the  rouge-powder  used  in  the  finishing  process  of  brightening 
silver  goods.  If  thus  treated  regularly,  no  tortoise-shell,  however 
old,  need  look  dull,  as  is  so  often  the  case. 


REMOVING  TEA  OR  COFFEE  STAINS 

Clear  boiling  water  will  remove  tea  stains;  pour  the  watei 
through  the  stain,  and  thus  prevent  its  spreading  over  the  fabric. 

Tea  stains  if  not  washed  out  at  once  are  very  troublesome 
to  get  rid  of.  Pure  gelatine  well  rubbed  in  is  said  to  be  an  efficieni 
cleanser  for  stains  of  long  standing. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  165 

Linens  that  have  been  stained  by  tea  or  cofifee  may  be 

cleansed  by  moistening  the  spots  with  water  and  holding  them  over 
the  fumes  of  a  small  piece  of  burning  sulphur  or  a  few  sulphur 
matches.  Wash  immediately  with  water  in  which  a  little  ammonia 
or  soda  has  been  dissolved. 

Powdered  starch  will  take  the  stain  out  of  linen  if  applied 
immediately. 

Tea  stains  may  be  removed  from  a  table  cloth  by  immersing 
it  in  a  strong  solution  of  sugar  for  a  few  minutes  and  then  rinsing  it 
in  soft  water. 

Tea  or  coffee  stains  of  long  standing  may  be  removed  by 
rubbing  the  cloth  with  glycerine,  after  washing  once;  a  second 
washing  leaves  the  linen  as  clean  as  before. 

If  you  find  boiling  water  poured  through  the  stain  does  not 
remove  it,  try  equal  parts  of  chloride  of  lime  and  sal  soda  or  baking 
soda;  either  one  will  answer  the  purpose.  Say  two,  or  two  and  a 
half  tablespoonfuls  of  each  dissolved  in  about  three  quarts  of  boiling 
water.  Dip  the  stain  into  this  solution  and  then  wash  in  the  usual 
way,  using  soft  water.  You  will  find  that  this  will  remove  a  stain  of 
long  standing  or  one  that  has  been  set  by  being  washed  in  soapsuds. 

If  you  have  washed  an  article  and  had  the  trimming  fade  and 
run,  the  above  solution  will  remove  all  traces  of  it. 


REMOVING  FRUIT  STAINS 

Old  fruit  stains  must  be  treated  with  oxalic  acid.  Dissolve 
three  ounces  in  a  pint  of  water.  Soak  the  stain  in  this  solution  five 
minutes,  then  steam  by  holding  over  a  kettle  of  boiling  water,  or 
hang  in  the  sunshine.  When  the  stain  disappears,  rinse  in  ammonia 
water  so  as  to  counteract  the  action  of  the  acid.  Rinse  well  in  clear 
water  so  that  the  fabric  will  not  be  injured,  then  spread  on  the  grass 
or  hang  in  the  sun  to  bleach  and  whiten. 

To  remove  fruit  stains  from  linen,  rub  the  part  on  each  side 
with  yellow  soap,  then  tie  up  a  piece  of  pearl-ash  in  the  cloth,  and 
soak  in  hot  water.  Afterwards  expose  the  stained  part  to  the  sun 
and  air.  Or,  dip  in  sour  buttermilk  and  dry  in  the  sun;  wash  in 
cold  water  and  dry  two  or  three  times  a  day.  Or,  dip  in  hot  milk 
several  times ;  or,  hold  up  and  pour  hot  water  through  the  stained 
fabric. 


166  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


TO  REMOVE  STAINS  FROM  CLOTHS 

Repeated  applications  of  alcohol  will  remove  grass  stains  from 
any  white  material. 

Small  heel  caps  of  waste  leather  will  keep  the  holes  from  the 
heels  of  stockings. 

Traces  of  mud  may  be  removed  from  black  dresses  by  rubbing 
the  stains  with  raw  potato. 

To  remove  blood  stains,  dip  the  stained  fabric  in  kerosene,  and 
then  wash  thoroughly. 

White  zephyr  articles  may  be  nicely  cleaned  by  using  chloride 
of  magnesia;  when  clean,  shake  thoroughly  and  hang  out-of-doors. 

Lampblack  is  removed  by  wetting  with  kerosene  and  washing 
with  some  good  soap  and  warm  water. 

Mildew  can  be  removed  by  rubbing  green  tomatoes  and  salt 
on  the  spot,  then  exposing  it  to  the  rays  of  the  sun. 

Mildew  can  be  removed  by  soaking  in  buttermilk,  or  putting 
lemon  juice  and  salt  upon  it  and  exposing  it  to  the  hot  sun.  (See 
also  under  Borax  and  its  Uses.) 

When  black  stuff  has  become  rusty,  the  color  can  be  restored 
by  sponging  it  with  strong  ammonia  water,  or  a  mixture  of  equal 
parts  of  ammonia  and  alcohol,  which  is  still  better. 

If  a  piece  of  gum  camphor  is  placed  in  the  drawer  where  are 
kept  dress  waists  that  are  trimmed  with  steel  it  will  prevent  the 
steel  from  tarnishing. 

Clothing  that  has  become  spotted,  and  whose  color  has  been 
destroyed  by  acids,  may  have  the  color  restored  by  applying  ammonia 
and  afterward  chloroform. 

Clothes  that  have  been  used  should  be  carefully  brushed  before 
being  put  away.  It  is  the  dust  in  cloths  that  gives  them  the  much 
deplored  rusty,  brOwn  appearance. 

In  washing  any  delicate  material  with  gasoline,  if  salt  Lj 
added  there  will  be  no  stain  left  at  the  edges  of  the  washed  parts. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


Seams  titch. 


Frontstitch,  backstitch,  quilting- 
stitch. 


To  insert  a  gusset. 


Overcast  stitch. 


Gather  stitch. 


Button  on  loop.  French  stitch. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


Insert  (for  making 
buttonholes). 


Attaching  borders. 


Cap  stitch. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


Attaching  insertions. 


Attaching  insertions. 


Eyelet  and  button -hole  stitches. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


"An  Ordinary  Brush  Broom. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  167 

To  restore  black  cashmere  wash  it  in  hot  suds,  with  a  little 
borax  in  the  water;  rinse  in  very  strong  bluing  water,  and  iron 
while  damp. 

Stains  on  flannels  may  be  removed  by  applying  yolk  of  egg 
and  glycerine  in  equal  quantities.  Leave  it  for  half  an  hour  and  then 
wash  out. 

When  the  nap  is  worh  off  of  cloth  it  can  sometimes  be  restored 
thus:  soak  the  goods  in  cold  water  for  an  hour,  then,  with  a  pin  or 
needle  gently  pick  up  the  nap;  after  the  nap  is  raised,  brush  it  the 
right  way  with  a  soft  brush. 

Dissolve  a  heaping  tablespoon  of  chloride  of  lime  in  a  pail  of 
water  to  remove  mildew.  Dip  in  the  goods  and  spread  out  to  dry. 
Repeat  process.  This  will  take  out  the  worst  case  of  mildew  and 
many  other  stains.    The  lime  must  be  well  dissolved. 

Mildew  may  be  removed  from  awnings,  etc.,  with  the  follow- 
ing preparation;  Mix  well  together  two  tablespoons  of  soft  soap,  one 
of  salt,  two  of  powdered  starch,  and  the  juice  of  a  lemon.  Lay  this 
mixture  on  both  sides  of  the  stain  with  a  painter's  brush  and  then 
lay  the  article  on  the  grass  day  and  night  until  the  stain  disappears. 

Iodine  stains  are  removed  from  linen  (or  the  hands)  by  mixing 
one  ounce  of  "hj^po"  and  two  ounces  of  water.  The  hypo  is  found 
at  drug  stores  and  photographic  supply  houses. 

To  freshen  a  skirt  that  has  become  wrinkled  badly  from  a 
long  crowded  ride  through  the  country,  brush  carefully  so  that  all 
dust  may  be  removed,  then  hang  over  a  tub  of  hot  water.  After  it 
has  been  thoroughly  steamed  it  will  have  all  the  appearances  of  a 
tailor-cleaned  garment. 

When  wishing  to  wash  white  trimmings  on  a  dress,  wring 
out  a  white  cloth  in  starch  water,  place  it  on  the  trimming,  then  put 
a  dry  cloth  over  it,  and  iron  with  a  hot  iron.  The  dirt  will  come  ofiE 
into  the  starched  cloth. 

To  Freshen  Veils  or  Crape. — Take  two  teaspoonfuls  of  mucilage 
and  two  of  hot  water,  dissolve  thoroughly,  and  after  stretching  the 
veil  as  a  lace  curtain,  moisten  a  sponge  with  the  liquid  and  pass  it 
over  the  veU.    Do  not  remove  veil  until  thoroughly  dry. 

To  Keep  Veils  Fresh. — A  rolling  pin  is  covered  very  hghtly  with 
a  piece  of  flannel,  and  over  this  a  linen  cover  stiflBy  starched.  Around 
this  the  veil  is  tightly  and  evenly  wound.  4 


168  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  restore  faded  gray  and  slate-colored  fabrics,   rip  the 

breadths  apart,  brush  the  widths  perfectly  free  from  dust.  Save 
some  tea  leaves  for  two  or  three  days,  also  whatever  tea  is  left  over, 
then  boil  well  all  together  and  strain.  Put  the  goods  in  this  and  boil 
five  minutes.  Take  out  and  rinse  in  warm  water  thoroughly.  Run 
through  a  wringer  and  hang  up  to  dry.  Iron  on  the  wrong  side  before 
they  become  too  dry. 

Soap  bark  is  an  effective  cleaner  of  woolen  skirts  and  men's 
clothes,  as  it  is  a  quick  eradicator  of  grease  and  dirt. 

Get  five  cents'  worth  of  the  soap  bark,  pour  over  it  a  quart  of  boil- 
ing water;  steep  it  gently  over  a  fire  for  two  hours,  keeping  the  heat 
low,  so  that  the  water  will  not  boil  away.  Then  strain  through  a 
piece  of  cheese  cloth  and  it  is  ready  to  use. 

Any  ripping  apart  of  garments  that  needs  to  be  done  should 
be  done  before  the  cleansing  process  with  soap  bark  takes  place. 

Brush  the  garments  carefully  first,  and  then  apply  the  liquid  with 
a  woolen  cloth,  going  over  every  spot.  This  should  be  done  with 
care,  using  especial  diligencce  with  the  soiled  spots.  After  sponging, 
rinse  in  ammonia  water,  and  before  the  garment  is  thoroughly  dried, 
press  it  between  two  dark  cloths. 

When  the  washing  of  an  article  in  soap  and  water  is  out  of 

the  question,  sponging  with  some  substance  that  will  remove  grease 
and  other  stains  is  the  next  best  thing.  A  cleaning  fluid  which  has 
been  used  upon  silk  and  woolen  fabrics  with  satisfactory  results  is 
made  as  follows :  Put  into  a  large  saucepan  two  quarts  of  VA'ater,  half 
an  ounce  of  borax,  and  four  ounces  of  white  castile  soap  shaved  fine, 
and  stir  frequently  until  the  soap  and  borax  are  dissolved;  then 
take  from  the  fire  and  add  two  quarts  of  cold  water.  When  the  mix- 
ture is  cold,  add  one  ounce  of  glycerine.  Bottle  and  put  away  for  use; 
it  will  keep  for  years.  To  clean  an  article,  first  brush  thoroughly, 
and  then  spread  on  a  table.  Sponge  with  the  cleaning  fluid  and  rub 
hard  until  the  stains  disappear.  Spots  can  be  removed  from  carpets 
in  this  manner. 

Home-made  Skirt-Hanger. — Hem  a  piece  of  strong  cotton 
cloth  about  eighteen  inches  square.  Take  a  piece  of  plank  about 
two  inches  wide,  and  of  the  same  length  as  the  cloth.  Fold  the  cloth 
once,  put  a  double  row  of  stitching  far  enough  from  the  crease  to 
permit  the  stick  to  be  run  into  the  case  thus  formed  and  sew  on 
stout  loo])s  by  which  to  hang  it  up.  Two  loose  flaps  arc  left  hanging 
about  six  or  seven  inches  below  the  stick.  Upon  these  flaps  a  number 
of  skirts  may  be  hung  by  pinning  them  by  the  waistband. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  169 


REMOVING  GREASE  SPOTS  FROM  CLOTH 

Soap  that  Will  Remove  Grease  Spots  from  Cloth. — Take  of 
powdered  fuller's  earth  one  ounce,  moisten  with  spirits  of  turpen- 
tine, add  best  potash  two  ounces,  and  work  the  whole  into  a  paste 
with  a  little  soap. 

In  removing  stains  or  grease  spots  from  delicate  colored 
materials,  the  cleaning  mixture  should  be  applied  in  a  circle  around 
the  spot  and  should  be  worked  toward  the  center.  Then  sponge 
the  place  with  a  clean  flannel  and  rub  until  dry. 

A  grease  eradicator  is  one  of  the  articles  that  every  housewife 
likes  to  have  around.  Here  is  one  which  is  said  to  have  made  the 
fortune  of  one  man  before  the  secret  was  given  to  the  world :  Two 
ounces  of  ammonia,  one  ounce  of  castile  soap  shavings,  one  quart  of 
salt  water,  one  teaspoonful  of  saltpeter. 

A  mixture  for  removing  grease  spots,  particularly  from  men's 
clothing,  is  composed  of  four  parts  alcohol  to  one  part  ammonia  and 
about  half  as  much  ether  as  ammonia.  Apply  the  liquid  to  the  spots 
and  then  rub  diligently  with  a  sponge  and  clear  water.  The  alcohol 
and  ether  dissolve  the  grease,  and  the  ammonia  forms  a  lather  of 
it,  which  is  washed  out  with  the  water. 

Never  put  away  for  the  summer  a  woolen  garment  of  any 
kind  that  is  spotted  with  grease  or  soiled  with  mud.  Grease  is 
astonishingly  attractive  to  moths,  and  all  the  unbrushed  clothes 
"age "  rapidly.  Ammonia  for  all-black  goods,  and  a  delicate  mixture 
of  ether,  ammonia  and  castUe  soap  for  colored  ones,  may  be  advised. 

Candle  grease  is  hard  to  remove,  but  the  stains  can  be  taken 
out  by  holding  a  red-hot  poker  over  the  mark,  not  close  enough  to 
scorch  it,  and  placing  a  piece  of  blotting  paper  underneath  it  to 
absorb  the  wax  as  it  melts.  When  the  material  is  not  very  delicate 
put  a  piece  of  blotting  paper  over  the  spot  and  iron  it  until  all  the 
grease  is  out.  A  few  seconds  will  suffice.  Then  rub  the  spot  with 
some  tissue  paper. 

To  Remove  Resin,  Tar,  Axle  Grease  or  Similar  Stains. — Wet 

the  cloth,  apply  fat  or  any  common  oil  to  stain  and  thoroughly  soap  it ; 
allow  the  soap  to  remain  for  a  short  time,  then  wash  alternately 
with  turpentine  and  warm  water.  If  this  will  not  remove  the  stain, 
cover  the  stain  with  a  mixture  of  oil  of  turpentine  and  the  white  of 
egg,  and  let  it  stand  for  some  time  until  it  softens  up.  Then  wash 
with  hot  soapy  water,  and  rinse. 


170  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Grease  Spots. — There  are  several  effectual  means  of  taking  out 
grease  spots.  Chloroform  \\"ill  do  it.  Or  you  can  wet  the  place  with 
ammonia- wa ter ;  then  lay  white  soft  paper  over  it  and  iron  with  a 
hot  iron.  Or  rub  French  chalk  on  the  wrong  side;  let  it  remain  a 
day;  split  a  visiting  card,  lay  the  rough  side  on  the  spot,  knd  pass 
a  warm  iron  lightly  over.  Or  try  the  old-fashioned  "grease-balls" 
— a  stiff  paste  made  of  fuller's  earth  and  vinegar,  moulded  into  baUs 
and  dried;  wet  the  spot;  scrape  the  ball  over  it;  let  it  dry,  and  then 
wash  it  off  with  tepid  water. 

Oil  stains  may  be  removed  from  paper  by  appljdng  pipe  clay 
powdered  and  mixed  with  water  to  the  thickness  of  cream;  leave 
on  for  four  hours. 


TO  REMOVE  RUST,  PAINT  AND  INK  STAINS 

To  Remove  Iron-rust  from  Linen. — If  the  ground  be  white, 
oxalic  acid,  employed  in  the  form  of  a  concentrated  aqueous  solution, 
wUl  effectually  remove  fresh  iron-stains. 

If  iron-rust  spots  are  covered  with  cream  of  tartar  and  salt, 
slightly  moistened,  and  laid  in  the  sun,  they  wiU  disappear. 

Stains  of  rust  may  be  removed  from  fine  linen  and  similar 
fabrics  without  injury  to  the  material.  The  articles  must  be  first 
well  soaped,  as  if  they  were  to  be  washed  in  the  ordinary  way.  An 
iron  is  heated,  and  on  this  is  laid  a  wet  cloth.  When  the  heat  makes 
the  cloth  steam  the  nist  stain  is  laid  on  it,  and  a  little  oxalic  acid 
is  rubbed  on  with  the  finger.  The  heat  and  the  moisture  hasten  the 
effect  of  the  acid  on  the  rust,  and  when  this  has  disappeared  the 
soaping  and  washing  may  be  continued. 

Or,  soak  the  spots  in  a  solution  of  1  part  of  ferrocj^anide  of  potassium 
in  500  parts  of  water,  and  1  part  of  concentrated  sulphuric  acid,  wash 
well  with  soft  water,  and  finally  remove  the  blue  stains  with  a  solution 
of  caustic  potash. 

Wine  stains  of  any  kind  can  be  removed  effectually  from  linen, 
by  holding  them  for  a  few  minutes  in  boiling  sweet  milk.  This 
must  be  done  before  the  linen  is  washed,  or  it  is  of  no  use. 

Wine  stains  may  be  removed  from  linen  by  rubbing  it  on  both 
sides  with  yellow  soap,  then  laying  on  a  thick  paste  of  starch  and 
water.    Rub  in  well  and  expose  to  the  sun  and  air. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  171 

To  remove  paint  spots  from  clothing  saturate  the  fabric  with 
equal  parts  of  turpentine  and  water  of  ammonia. 

Paint  stains  that  are  dry  and  old  may  be  removed  from  cotton 
or  woolen  goods  with  chloroform.  First  cover  the  spot  with  olive 
oil  or  butter. 

To  Remove  Paint  from  Muslin. — Soak  the  spots  in  a  strong 
solution  of  soda  and  water  for  twenty-four  hours.  At  the  end  of 
this  time  the  paint  will  often  have  disappeared,  but  if  it  has  not, 
wet  the  material  in  turpentine  and  lay  in  the  sun  for  several  hours. 
Wet  again  and  repeat  this  until  every  trace  of  the  paint  is  removed. 

Ink  stains  are  so  frequent  that  everyone  at  times  desires  some- 
thing to  remove  them.  To  remove  them  from  linen  rub  the  spots 
while  wet  (if  stains  are  old  wet  with  water)  with  tartaric  acid;  to 
remove  them  from  silk,  saturate  the  spot  with  spirits  of  turpentine; 
after  a  few  hours  rub  the  spot,  and  the  ink  stain  will  crumble  away 
without  injuring  the  fabric. 

To  remove  ink  stains  from  linen,  wet  the  finger  in  water,  then 
dip  into  a  powder  consisting  of  finely-powdered  oxalic  acid,  and  rub 
it  on  the  spot  gently,  keeping  it  rather  moist,  and  the  stain  will 
disappear  without  injuring  the  fabric.  After  the  stain  disappears, 
wash  the  linen  in  pure  water.    The  acid  is  poisonous. 

Spots  made  by  rust  and  some  kinds  of  ink  may  be  removed 
from  woolens  by  apj)lying  citric  acid.  This  acid  can  not  be  used 
on  some  colors  without  changing  them  to  a  very  ugly  shade,  so  it 
is  well  to  tryjwhat  effect  it  has  on.the  color  of  the  goods  to  be  cleaned, 
by  putting  some  on  a  waste  bit  before  attacking  the  spot. 

Chloride  of  lime  can  be  converted  into  a  capital  ink  eraser, 
and  will  not  damage  the  paper.  Put  a  drachm  of  citric  acid  in  a 
wineglass  with  a  teaspoonful  of  chloride  of  lime,  then  nearly  fill  the 
glass  with  water  and  effervescence  will  ensue.  Roll  some  soft  linen 
around  the  finger,  dip  it  in  the  solution,  touch  the  ink  spots  with 
gentle  friction,  and  they  will  disappear. 

Red  Ink  Stains. — Most  aniline  stains  can  readily  be  removed 
with  alcohol.  If  the  ink  is  made  from  cochineal,  a  weak  solution  of 
chloride  of  lime  wth  a  few  drops  of  muriatic  acid  is  sufficient  to 
destroy  the  color,  but  it  cannot  be  used  on  silks  and  woolens. 


172  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Most  indelible  inks  contain  nitrate  of  silver,  the  stain  of 
which  may  be  removed  by  first  soaking  in  a  solution  of  common  salt 
and  afterwards  washing  with  ammonia.  Or  use  a  solution  of  10  grains 
of  cyanide  of  potassium  and  5  grains  of  iodine  to  1  ounce  of  water,  or 
a  solution  of  8  parts  each,  of  bichloride  of  mercury  and  chloride  of 
ammonium  in  125  parts  of  water.  According  to  M.  Grimm,  chloride 
of  copper  completely  removes,  even  from  colored  woven  cotton  tissues, 
stains  occasioned  by  nitrate  of  silver;  the  tissue  is  to  be  afterwards 
washed  with  a  solution  of  hyposulphite  of  soda  and  finally  with 
water. 

From  white  cotton  and  linen  fabrics  silver  stains  are  more 
readily  removed  by  applying  dilute  solution  of  permanganate  of 
potassium  and  hydrochloric  acid,  followed  by  washing  by  hypo- 
sulphite of  soda  solution  and  rinsing  in  plenty  of  fresh  water.  By 
this  means  the  use  of  the  highly  poisonous  cyanide  of  potassium  is 
rendered  unnecessary. 


CLEANING  AND  IMPROVING  SILKS  AND 
VELVETS 

Never  use  a  brush  to  silk — it  injures  the  goods.  Instead,  wipe 
carefully  with  the  face  of  a  soft  piece  of  velvet. 

Gloss  can  be  removed  from  black  silk  by  sponging  it  with  cold 
coffee  and  ammonia.    A  teaspoonful  of  ammonia  to  a  cup  of  coffee. 

Tar  is  removed  from  silk  by  rubbing  lard  on  the  stain,  and  then 
washing  in  warm  soapsuds. 

To  take  wax  spots  from  black  silk,  scrape  off  all  the  wax 

possible,  wet  the  goods  with  alcohol  and  dry  with  a  soft  rag. 

Wax  is  removed  from  silk  by  scraping  off  the  wax  and  applying 
a  paste  of  French  chalk  and  water,  or  the  silk  is  laid  on  blotting 
paper,  another  piece  of  blotting  paper  on  the  sUk,  and  then  press 
with  a  hot  iron. 

To  remove  paint  from  silk  goods  saturate  the  goods  with  equal 
parts  of  tuqicntine  and  ammonia,  then  wash  in  soapsuds  and  let 
dry  between  blotting  paper  under  a  heavy  weight. 

Chloroform  is  useful  for  taking  paint  stains  from  black  silks. 
Persistent  rubbing  is  necessary.  Chloroform  will  also  restore  faded 
plush  goods  by  sponging  carefully. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  173 

To  remove  a  grease  spot  from  woolen  or  silk,  thoroughly  saturate 
the  place  with  turpentine,  and  place  a  soft  blotting  paper  beneath 
and  another  on  top  of  the  spot,  and  press  very  hard.  The  fat  is 
dissolved,  then  absorbed  by  the  paper  and  entirely  removed  from 
the  cloth. 

Black  silk  can  be  made  to  look  almost  as  good  as  new  by  spong- 
ing on  the  right  side  with  weak  tea  or  coffee,  and  pressing  on  the 
right  side,  with  a  thick  flannel  between  the  silk  and  the  iron. 

When  silk  is  very  much  wrinkled,  sponge  on  the  wrong  side 
with  weak  gum-arabic  water,  and,  when  nearly  dry,  iron  between 
two  woolen  cloths. 

Black  silk  or  satin  which  has  become  shiny  may  be  cleaned  in 
the  following  way:  Take  clean  potato  peelings,  cover  them  with 
water,  and  allow  them  to  soak  twenty-four  hours.  Then  steam  them, 
and  well  sponge  the  material  with  the  water.  Lay  the  material  be- 
tween clean  cloths,  and  iron  on  the  wrong  side  until  it  is  quite  dry. 

By  adding  a  little  pearlash  to  a  soap-lather,  faded  ribbons 
placed  therein  will  be  restored  to  their  natural  color.  Faded  breadths 
of  silk  can  be  restored  if  treated  to  a  bath  of  the  above  named  in- 
gredients. 

White  china  silk  waists  usually  grow  so  yellow  after  a  few 
washings  with  soap  that  they  are  frequently  discarded  while  still 
good.  It  is  economical  to  wash  them  in  the  follo\^4ng  way:  To  a 
quart  and  a  half  of  warm,  soft  water,  add  a  tablespoonful  of  powdered 
borax.  Wash  gently,  rubbing  lightly  all  soiled  spots  with  the  hands. 
Wring  out  and  wash  again  in  the  same  quantity  of  water,  similarly 
prepared;  wring,  and  rinse  in  clear  water,  to  which  half  a  tablespoon- 
ful of  borax  has  been  added.  Press  until  nearly  dry,  but  do  not  use 
too  warm  an  iron. 

Velvet  is  cleaned  after  being  dusted,  and  rubbed  with  gasoline,  by 
allowing  steam  to  penetrate  through  the  fabric  while  brushing  with 
a  whisk  broom,  or  brush,  in  the  direction  of  the  nap.  Velvet  ribbons 
are  drawn  across  a  wet  cloth  which  has  been  laid  over  the  bottom  of 
a  hot  flatiron.  Chloroform  brushed  over  velvet  revives  it  if  applied 
with  a  soft  cloth. 


174  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


CLEANING  AND  MENDING  LACE 

The  great  point  about  washing  lace  is  to  do  it  gently,  never 
rubbing  soap  on  to  the  surface  nor  using  strong  soap.  A  lather  may 
be  made,  either  with  soap  jelly  or  a  very  mild  washing  powder;  or 
it  may  be  washed  in  borax  water,  hot  but  not  boiling.  If  the  lace 
is  very  dirty  it  can  be  steeped  first  in  cold  water. 

Take  a  piece  of  an  old  lace  curtain  a  little  larger  than  the 
hole  you  want  to  mend.  Wash  and  starch  it,  and  while  still  wet  lay 
it  on  the  curtain  and  press  a  hot  iron  on  it  until  dry. 

To  do  up  lace  curtains  without  stretchers,  wash  and  starch 
without  much  rubbing  or  wringing  and  hang  lengthwise  on  the  line. 
Place  opposite  scallops  together  and  pull  the  whole  curtain  straight. 
The  starch  will  stick  the  opposite  halves  together,  no  pins  being 
needed.  The  curtains  ■u-ill  be  straight  and  even  and  no  ironing  wHl 
be  necessary — only  a  pressing  of  the  scallops. 

Directions  for  Washing  Lace  Curtains. — Never  give  them 
hard  rubbing.  Always  soak  and  sop  out  as  much  of  the  dirt  as  possible. 

Never  starch  fine  lace  curtains  very  stiff.  The  coarser  the 
curtains  the  more  starch  they  will  require.  Add  borax  to  the  starch 
to  help  hold  the  stiffening.  Coffee,  tea  or  saffron  may  be  added 
to  the  starch  for  ecru  curtains,  if  their  dark  color  is  desirable. 

Always  shake  the  dust  from  curtains  before  washing.  Always 
squeeze  the  water  from  curtains  when  changing  them  from  one 
water  to  another.  Wash  very  old  or  fine  curtains  in  a  j)illow  case 
or  other  muslin  bag.     Measure  the  curtains  before  washing. 

Curtain  Stretching. — Get  common  grocery  string,  using  it 
doubled,  and  after  h.aving  cut  off  a  doubled  thread  the  exact  length 
of  your  curtain,  measuring  the  lace  edge  only,  with  a  bodkin  or  small 
safety  pin  draw  the  string  through  the  narrow  hem  lengthwise  of  the 
curtain,  fastening  securely  each  end  of  the  string.  Do  this  to  each 
curtain.  If  done  right  you  will  have  a  perfectly  straight  edge  after 
stretching  and  the  strings  never  show. 

Bobbinet  Curtains. — Cut  pieces  of  muslin  four  inches  wde  and 
sew  flat  on  edges  of  curtains  before  they  are  laundered,  using  a  long, 
loose  stitch  on  the  machine.  Then  wash  and  starch  as  usual  and  pin 
evenly  on  carpeted  floor.  When  dry  the  muslin  is  easily  ripped  off, 
and  in  this  way  you  avoid  the  full,  uneven  edge  which  is  so  often 
seen  in  bobbinet  curtains. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  175 

Never  iron  lace  window  curtains,  and  be  careful  not  to  make 
them  too  blue  with  indigo  or  too  stiff  with  starch. 

Stretch  them  upon  a  mattress  to  dry,  pinning  down  carefully 
the  extreme  edge  of  every  point  or  scallop. 

Woolen  lace  should  be  rinsed  in  water  of  exactly  the  same  tem- 
perature as  that  in  which  it  is  washed.  Black  lace  needs  vinegar 
in  the  rinsing  water. 

Make  a  thick  paste  of  talcum  powder  and  water,  spread  this 
thickly  over  the  lace,  putting  it  down  into  the  meshes.  Let  it  dry 
thoroughly,  and  then  shake  and  brush  the  powder  out  and  the  dirt 
goes  with  it. 

One  does  not  usually  starch  lace,  for  ironing  it  while  wet  im- 
parts a  ce-  tain  stiffness.  If,  however,  it  is  needed  very  stiff,  it  can 
be  dipped  in  either  hot  water  starch  or  cold  water  starch. 

It  is  ironed  while  wet  with  a  good  hot  iron.  At  first,  until  it 
is  almost  dry,  put  a  piece  of  clean  rag  or  a  stout  handkerchief  be- 
tween the  iron  and  the  lace,  then  iron  it  dry  without.  The  lace 
should  be  pulled  out  gently  with  the  fingers,  especially  the  outermost 
edge,  before  ironing. 

There  are  some  kinds  of  lace  that  have  a  raised  surface  and 
which  are  better  ironed  between  blankets,  or  not  ironed  at  all.  These 
should  be  stretched,  while  still  wet,  with  a  pin  at  each  point,  or  at 
distances  of  an  inch  or  less  apart.  They  may  be  stretched  on  a  large 
sheet  of  clean  cardboard. 

Another  way  of  pressing  lace  with  a  raised  surface,  is  to  wind 
it  around  a  bottle  filled  with  hot  water,  which  dries  and  presses  it 
on  the  wrong  side  at  the  same  time. 

When  washing  a  lace  door-panel,  try  the  following  plan:  Wash 
the  glass  in  the  door  and  leave  it  ready  to  replace  the  panel.  Care- 
fully wash  and  starch  the  lace,  slip  in  the  rods  while  wet  and  place  in 
position.  Pull  the  lace  straight  and  it  will  dry  on  the  door  and  look 
like  new. 

Rusty  black  lace  can  be  wonderfully  freshened  up  by  rinsing  it 
in  water  to  which  have  been  added  borax  and  alcohol  in  the  pro- 
portion of  one  tablespoonful  each  of  borax  and  alcohol  to  one  cupful 
of  soft  water.  After  the  lace  is  partly  dry,  dip  it  in  water  in  which 
an  old  kid  glove  has  been  boiled,  squeeze  gently,  pull  out  the  edges, 
pin  on  sheets  of  blotting  paper,  and  dry  under  heavy  books. 


176  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  clean  white  ostrich  feathers,  cut  some  pure  white  soap  into 
small  pieces  and  pour  boiling  water  on  them  and  add  a  little  mite 
of  soda.  When  the  soap  is  dissolved  and  the  water  cool  enough,  dip 
the  feathers  in  and  draw  them  through  the  hand.  Do  this  several 
times  until  the  lather  is  dirty:  then  make  a  clean  lather  and  repeat 
the  operation.  Afterward  rinse  the  feathers  in  cold  water,  slightly 
blued.  Pat  the  feathers  between  the  hands  and  shake  them  over  the 
fire  until  they  are  perfectly  dry.  Curl  them  by  drawing  each  fibre 
between  the  thumb  and  the  dull  edge  of  a  silver  knife. 

To  Clean  White  Plumes. — Lay  the  soiled  plume  on  a  large 
plate  and  pour  over  it  about  three  tablespoonfuls  of  gasoline;  then 
with  a  clean  tooth-brush  brush  thoroughly,  working  from  the  stem 
to  the  tip.  Press  out  with  the  fingers  any  extra  liquid  remaining  in  the 
plume,  and  shake  in  the  open  air  until  dry.  If  the  plume  is  very 
much  soiled  it  may  be  necessary  to  repeat  the  process,  using  fresh 
gasoline.    Never  work  with  gasoline  in  a  room  where  there  is  any  fire. 

Common  starch  mixed  with  cold  water  and  painted  on  the  feathers, 
allowing  them  to  dry,  and  then  carefully  shaking  out  or  gently  beat- 
ing, is  an  excellent  method  of  cleaning. 

To  curl  feathers  after  the  curl  has  come  out  of  them  by  wash- 
ing the  feather  or  getting  it  damp,  place  a  hot  fiatiron  so  that  you 
can  hold  the  feather  just  above  it  while  curling.  Take  a  bone  or 
silver  knife,  and  draw  the  fibres  of  the  feather  between  the  thumb  and 
the  dull  edge  of  the  knife,  taking  not  more  than  three  fibres  at  a 
time,  beginning  at  the  point  of  the  feather  and  curling  one-half  the 
other  way.    The  hot  iron  makes  the  curl  more  durable. 

Never  fold  a  gossamer  waterproof  inside  out;  it  is  the  inside 
which  should  be  kept  free  from  soil  of  any  kind.  If  you  think  this 
is  superfluous  advice,  please  observe  the  manner  in  which  most  of 
your  acquaintances  fold  them. 

A  Good  Rubber  Cement. — Disolve  gutta  percha  in  bisulphide 
of  carbon;  shave  off  the  edges  of  the  leather,  and  pour  on  the  cement; 
allow  to  evaporate  to  dryness.  Then  put  the  two  faces  together, 
previously  heating  thoroughly,  and  press  until  cool. 

To  Mend  Rubbers. — When  rubbers  begin  to  wear  or  crack,  they 
can  be  repaired  by  the  use  of  a  solution  made  from  equal  parts  of 
demar  varnish  and  asphaltum,  to  which  a  little  turpentine  has  been 
added.  The  worn  or  cracked  places  should  be  painted  with  the 
mixture  and  then  allowed  to  dry  slowly  away  from  the  fire. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  177 

If  a  tiny  tear  appears  on  the  instep  of  the  rubber,  sew  on  the 
underside  a  piece  of  wide  black  .elastic,  or  it  can  be  temporarily 
mended  with  black  court  plaster. 

To  clean  a  mackintosh,  scrub  both  sides  with  soap  and  water, 
then  rinse  away  all  the  soap.  Dry  by  hanging  up  without  wringing. 
Alcohol,  benzine,  chloroform,  gasoline,  turpentine,  or  other  cloth 
cleaning  chemicals  should  never  be  used,  as  they  dissolve,  or  injure, 
the  rubber  in  waterproof  garments.  Ammonia  may  be  appHcd  freely 
to  remove  grease  stains. 

Cut  pieces  about  two  inches  wide  and  three  long  from  the 
heels  of  old  rubbers,  peel  off  the  cloth,  and  sew  them  inside  the  heels 
of  your  rubbers.  They  are  rough  and  sticky,  and  will  cling  fast  to 
the  shoe  and  entirely  stop  that  disagreeable  trait  some  rubbers  have 
of  slipping  off  at  the  heel. 

When  pressing  woolen  goods  spread  a  newspaper  over  the 
material  instead  of  a  cloth,  and  there  will  be  no  bother  with  brush- 
ing off  the  troublesome  lint. 

To  Save  Underwear. — Knit  underwear  often  splits  at  the  seams 
while  the  garment  is  still  good.  To  prevent  this,  sew  the  seams  on 
the  machine  before  wearing,  sewing  on  the  original  stitcliing  on 
each  side  of  the  seam. 

To  mend  neatly  a  very  large  hole  in  fine  woven  underwear, 
baste  a  piece  of  netting  over  the  opening  and  darn  over  it.  When 
finished  cut  dose  the  edges  of  net  uncovered.  Thus  mended,  the 
garment  will  be  stronger  than  when  new  and  look  far  neater  than 
if  darned  in  the  ordinary  way. 

Strengthening  a  Silk  Petticoat. — Baste  a  piece  of  thin  muslin 
about  twelve  inches  wide  on  the  wrong  side  all  the  way  around.  Sew 
in  with  rather  large  stitches,  though  firmly  enough  to  hold  well. 
If  stitched  or  sewed  too  tightly,  it  might  start  breaks  in  the  silk. 

Mending  Frayed  Skirts. — With  sharp  scissors  cut  through  the 
worn  edge  of  the  skirt.  Holding  the  wrong  side  toward  you,  cut 
three-eighths  of  an  inch  from  the  hem.  Turn  the  right  side  of  the 
skirt,  which  is  now  three-eighths  of  an  inch  longer  than  the  wrong 
side,  up  over  the  lower  edge.  Baste  in  a  tiny  hem,  and  sew  by  hand 
with  small  stitches,  being  careful  not  to  catch  the  thread  through 
to  the  right  side.  A  skirt-braid  may  be  sewed  on  to  protect  the 
bottom  of  the  skirt  from  further  wear  and  conceal  the  tiny  hem. 


178  HEXPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


CARE  OF  MAN'S  WARDROBE 

Stains  may  be  removed  from  the  collar  of  an  overcoat  by 
rubbing  it  with  a  cloth  dipped  in  ammonia. 

Clean  dirty  coat  collars  with  gasoline.  Stay  away  from  the 
fire  while  doing  it. 

Trousers  should  always  be  placed  on  a  holder  and  hung 
suspended  from  their  bottoms. 

In  brushing  a  coat  do  not  neglect  the  inside,  especially  around 
the  collar. 

In  folding  trousers,  hold  them  at  the  waist  and  fold  by  putting 
together  the  first  suspender  button  on  each  side.  This  insures  a 
straight  line  of  the  crease.    Then  double  them  over  at  the  knee. 

It  is  well  in  brushing  a  derby  hat  not  to  use  a  whisk  broom. 
It  scars  the  fur  and  leaves  a  streak.  Always  use  a  soft  bristle  brush, 
taking  care  to  rub  with  the  grain.  For  cleaning  a  silk  hat,  use  a 
velvet  pad. 

When  a  silk  hat  becomes  wet,  rub  the  way  the  nap  lies  with 
a  clean  linen  cloth,  or  silk  handkerchief,  and  hang  some  distance  from 
the  fire  to  dry.    A  few  hours  after  brush  with  a  soft  brush. 

In  placing  a  coat  on  a  hanger,  the  loop  should  be  placed 
around  the  hook.  This  in  itself  will  balance  a  coat  on  the  frame. 
Do  not  button  the  coat,  as  this  tends  to  make  the  coat  wrinkle  in 
front  at  the  shoulders.    Hang  the  waistcoat  under  the  coat. 

To  fold  a  coat  for  packing  or  for  traveling,  lay  it  out  flat 
outside  up.  Turn  up  the  collar,  j)ull  sleeves  out  straight  and  flatten 
them;  fold  over  the  two  sides  of  the  coat  so  the  sleeves  are  just 
covered.    Then  fold  in  half. 

To  Remove  the  Soiled,  Stained  Look  from  a  White  Str?.w 

Hat. — Brush  the  hat  thoroughly,  then  add  a  little  ammonia  to  some 
water  and  scrub  with  a  brush  rubl)cd  in  castile  soap.  If  any  stains 
resist  this  treatment  apply  a  little  lemon  juice  and  two  cents'  worth 
of  powdered  yellow  sulphur.  Rub  this  mixture  into  the  straw  and 
then  remove  it  with  a  damp  cloth. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  179 


TO  CLEAN  FURS 

To  clean  dark  furs,  warm  a  quantity  of  new  bran  in  a  pan, 
taking  care  that  it  does  not  burn,  to  prevent  which  it  must  be 
actively  stirred.  When  well  warmed,  rub  it  thoroughly  into  the  fur 
x\4th  the  hand.  Repeat  this  two  or  three  times;  then  shake  the 
fur,  and  give  it  another  sharp  brushing,  until  free  from  dust. 

When  it  is  necessary  to  strip  the  fur  articles  of  their  stuffing 
and  binding,  lay  thtm  as  much  as  possible  in  a  flat  position.  They 
must  then  be  subjected  to  a  very  brisk  brushing  with  a  stiff  clothes 
brush.  After  this,  any  moth-eaten  parts  must  be  cut  out,  and  be 
neatly  replaced  by  new  bits  of  fur  to  match. 

To  clean  light  furs,  ermine,  etc.,  lay  the  fur  on  the  table,  and 
rub  it  well  with  bran  made  moist  with  warm  water;  rub  until  quite 
dry,  and  afterwards  with  dry  bran.  The  wet  bran  should  be  put  on 
with  flannel,  and  the  dry  with  a  piece  of  muslin.  The  light  furs,  in 
addition  to  the  above,  should  be  well  rubbed  with  magnesia  on  a 
piece  of  muslin,  after  the  bran  process;  or  dry  flour  may  be  used 
instead  of  wet  bran.  Ermine  takes  longer  than  minever  to  clean. 
They  should  be  rubbed  against  the  way  of  the  fur. 

Sable,  chinchilla,  squirrel  and  monkey  fur  may  be  very  nicely 
cleaned  ^vith  hot  bran.  Get  a  small  quantity  of  bran  meal  and  heat 
it  in  the  oven  until  it  is  quite  warm.  Rub  stiffly  into  the  fur  and 
leave  for  a  few  minutes  before  shaking  to  free  it  from  the  bran. 

Mink  may  be  cleaned  and  freshened  with  warm  cornmeal,  and 
like  the  other  short-haired  furs,  may  be  done  without  removing  the 
lining.  But  the  long-haired  furs  are  best  ripped  apart  and  freed 
from  stuffing  and  lining. 

Furs,  when  taken  out  in  the  fall,  are  often  found  to  have  a 
marred  and  cnished  appearance.  They  can  be  made  to  look  fresh 
and  new  with  little  trouble.  Wet  the  fur  with  a  clean  brush  dipped 
in  water  and  then  shaken,  brushing  the  hair  up  the  wrong  way. 
Let  the  fur  dry  in  the  air  for  half  an  hour,  and  then  give  it  a  good 
beating  -^vith  a  rattan.  After  beating  it,  comb  the  fur  the  right 
way  with  a  coarse  comb. 


180  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


TO  CLEAN  CLOTH  GARMENTS 

Make  a  strong,  warm  soapsuds,  and  plunge  the  garment 
into  it,  sousing  it  up  and  down  for  a  length  of  time  proportionate  to 
the  dirtiness  of  the  goods.  Have  ready  a  second  tub  of  suds,  also 
strong  and  warm,  and  souse  it  in  this  for  a  while.  Rub  any  and  all 
particularly  greasy  places — the  collar,  cuffs,  lapels,  etc.,  by  using 
a  brush  and  extra  soapsuds  into  which  ammonia  has  been  poured 
for  the  purpose.  Rinse  it  through  several  waters,  or  until  it_ comes 
out  clear  and  clean  at  the  last,  and,  without  squeezing  or  wringing  the 
garment,  hang  it  up  to  drip  on  the  line. 

When  it  is  nearly  dry  take  it  in  and  roll  it  up  for  an  hour  or  two 
before  ironing.  To  press  it  properly,  lay  an  old  cotton  cloth  upon 
the  garment  and  press  upon  this  until  the  wrinkles  disappear. 

If  the  wrinkles  prove  obstinate  and  refuse  to  "out,"  wring 
out  a  second  cotton  cloth  in  warm  water  and  press  the  iron  upon 
that ;  this  will  remove  the  stubbornest  crease. 

Great  care  should  be  taken  to  remove  the  iron  before  the 
steam  ceases  to  rise  from  the  goods,  else  they  wUl  be  shiny  again. 
If,  by  any  unfortunate  tardiness  in  removing  the  iron,  some  shiny 
place  should  show,  treat  it  as  you  did  the  wrinkles — place  a  warm, 
wet  cloth  over  it,  press  again  with  the  iron,  removing  it  quickly  to 
allow  the  cloud  of  steam  that  follows  in  its  fiery  wake  to  lift  the 
flattened  nap  up  with  it. 

White  flannel  clothing  may  be  cleaned  at  home.  Mix  mag- 
nesia with  benzine,  in  a  shallow  dish,  to  a  paste.  Rub  the  fabric 
with  this,  using  a  linen  cloth,  leaving  the  mixture  on  the_  flannel. 
Have  an  absolutely  clean  cloth  brush,  rub  the  magnesia  into  the 
cloth  with  it,  and  apply  the  paste,  which  must  be  kept  at  a  soft 
consistency  by  adding  benzine,  and  use  the  brush  until  the  garment 
is  clean.    Use  this  preparation  away  from  gas  or  other  Hght. 

FURNITURE,  ITS  CARE  AND  IMPROVEMENT 

Remove  white  spots  from  furniture  by  wetting  a  piece  of  flannel 
with  turpentine  and  rubbing  the  spot  hard. 

To  remove  white  stains  have  three  woolen  cloths ;  dip  one  in 
linseed  or  kerosene  oil  and  rub  the  spot  briskly;  then  wet  a  second 
cloth  with  alcohol  and  rub  the  spot  quickly;  finally,  polish  with  the 
third  cloth,  slightly  wet  with  oil. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  181 

Marks  are  taken  from  varnished  wood  by  wetting  a  sponge 
in  alcohol  or  camphor,  and  using  it  freely  to  the  surface  of  the  spots. 

Sweet  oil  removes  finger  marks  from  varnished  furniture,  and 
kerosene  will  do  the  same  for  oiled  pieces. 

Alcohol  must  always  be  used  quickly,  or  it  will  remove  the 
varnish. 

Scratches  on  furniture  may  be  removed  by  rubbing  with  a 
woolen  rag  dipped  in  linseed  oil.  The  varnishing  may  then  be  done 
with  shellac,  dissolved  in  alcohol. 

When  you  have  white  woodwork,  be  careful  to  let  it  have 
plenty  of  sunlight,  as  too  much  shade  makes  it  yellow. 

Use  borax  to  remove  finger  marks  from  a  hardwood  door. 
Ammonia  uill  take  off  the  varnish  or  stain. 

To  remove  spots  from  varnished  furniture,  rub  with  essential 
oil  of  peppermint,  then  with  sweet  oil  or  furniture  polish. 

To  remove  candle  grease  from  furniture  without  injuring  the 
polish,  rub  it  off  with  a  little  warm  water  and  a  rag. 

Articles  of  old  furniture  are  sometimes  made  to  appear  new  by 
washing  them  with  lime  water  and  then  applying  a  coat  of  oil. 

To  make  rosewood  furniture  look  well,  it  should  be  only 
rubbed  with  a  soft  cloth  a  little  every  day,  for  if  polish,  or  beeswax 
and  turpentine  be  used,  they  spoil  the  appearance. 

To  remove  dents  from  wood,  take  a  piece  of  felt  or  other  heavy 
woolen  cloth,  wet  it,  and  place  it  over  the  dent.  Press  w-ith  a  hot 
flatiron  and  the  dent  will  disappear. 

The  drawer  of  a  bureau  or  dresser  that  runs  hard  may  be  made 
to  work  much  more  smoothly  and  easily  if  it  is  taken  out  and  the 
edges  thoroughly  rubbed  with  hard  soap. 

Varnish  Remover. — Three  tablespoonfuls  of  baking-soda  in  a 
quart  of  water,  applied  with  a  rough  cloth,  w-ill  remove  the  old 
varnish  very  easily  when  you  wish  to  revarnish  furniture. 

Wash  cane-seat  chairs  with  ammonia  and  water,  or  with  hot 
water,  soap  and  sponge;  if  the  cane  is  stretched  out  of  shape, 
thoroughly  saturate  it  underneath. 


182  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Tack  little  rolls  of  cotton  batting,  covered  with  a  dark  cloth, 
under  the  rear  ends  of  the  rockers  of  the  chair  that  makes  a  practice 
of  "tipping  over." 

Iodine  stains  on  woodwork  should  be  removed  at  once,  as  they 
make  an  ugly  spot.  Soak  up  with  blotting  paper,  then  rub  the  spot 
with  a  soft  cloth  moistened  in  camphor. 

For  cleaning  natural  woodwork  nothing  is  better  than  crude 
petroleum  oil.  Moisten  a  piece  of  flannel  or  cheesecloth  with  it  and 
rub  on  the  wood;  then  wipe  with  a  clean  cloth  until  all  the  oil  is 
rubbed  off.    It  is  also  excellent  for  furniture. 

For  mahogany,  if  stained,  use  oxalic  acid  and  water,  rubbing 
it  on  with  a  clean  cork,  until  the  stain  disappears.  Mahogany  may 
be  polished  with  a  flannel  cloth  dipped  in  sweet,  or  cold  drawn 
linseed  oil. 

Remove  ink  stains  from  mahogany  by  putting  a  few  drops  of 
spirits  of  nitre  in  a  teaspoonful  of  water;  touch  the  spot  with  a 
camel's-hair  brush  dipped  in  the  mixture,  and  then  rub  it  out  im- 
mediately with  a  cloth  dipped  in  cold  water.  This  may  answer  for 
other  woods  also. 

For  removing  finger  marks  from,  and  restoring  lustre  to,  highly 
polished  but  much-defaced  furniture:  Wash  off  the  finger-marks 
with  a  cloth,  or  a  chamois  skin,  wet  with  cold  water,  then  rub  the 
surface  with  sweet  oil  mixed  with  half  its  quantity  of  turpentine. 
A  liberal  rubbing  of  this  mixture  will  prove  effective. 

Unsightly  cracks  in  furniture  may  be  filled  with  beeswax. 
First  soften  the  wax  until  it  is  as  soft  as  putty,  then  firmly  press  it 
into  the  cracks  and  smooth  it  evenly  with  a  thin  steel  knife.  Sand- 
paper over  the  surrounding  wood  and  work  the  dust  into  the  bees- 
wax. This  gives  a  wood  finish,  and  when  the  furniture  is  varnished 
the  cracks  will  have  disappeared.  Beeswax  is  better  than  putty, 
for  the  reason  that  the  latter  soon  dries,  crumbles  and  falls  out,  while 
the  wax  will  remain  for  an  indefinite  length  of  time  without  change. 

To  Clean  Wicker  Furniture. — If  the  furniture  is  painted,  use 
warm  water  with  one  teaspoonful  of  ammonia  to  one  bucketful  of 
water;  apply  with  a  soft  paint-brush,  then  rinse  and  dry.  If  the 
wicker  furniture  is  unpainted,  use  hot  water,  and  in  addition  to  the 
ammonia  suflficient  soap  to  give  the  water  a  bluish  cast.  Apply  with 
a  brush,  wetting  only  a  small  portion  at  a  time,  and  dry  thoroughly 
with  a  soft  cloth;  then  allow  it  to  stand  in  the  air  where  it  is  not 
too  hot. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


183 


To  repair  damaged  caster  supports  in  furniture  without 
sending  it  away  to  a  repair  shop,  turn  the  chair,  bureau  or  table  with 
the  caster  support  uppermost,  enlarge,  with  a  bit  and  brace,  the  hole 
in  which  the  caster  was  fastened;  glue  into  it  a  piece  of  round 
trimmed  wood  (Fig.  1),  which,  when  the  glue  is  thoroughly  dry,  is 
leveled.     If  the  caster  is  of  the  screw  kind  a  hole  is  bored  in  the 


Fig.  1. 


Fig.  2. 


plug  for  it,  so  that  it  will  screw  home  without  splitting;  if  of  the  holt 
or  shank  make,  a  hole  is  cut  out  just  large  enough  to  gently  force  it 
into  place.  This  is  a  better  and  more  permanent  way  of  treating 
this  common  trouble  than  the  wet  paper  or  piece  of  rag  wrapping 
method. 

The  pretty  bamboo  furniture  so  much  used  now  requires  to  be 
treated  differently  from  the  ordinary  wooden  furniture.  As  bamboo 
is  liable  to  crack  and  come  apart,  it  must  be  fed  so  as  to  counteract 
the  ill  effects  of  dryness  in  the  room.  The  furniture  should  be  ex- 
posed to  the  air  whenever  possible.  Do  not  place  too  near  a  fire, 
and  it  should  be  rubbed  regularly  with  equal  parts  of  linseed  oil 
and  turpentine  applied  with  a  flannel  and  then  rubbed  in  with  a  soft 
cloth.  An  occasional  wash  in  cold  water,  followed  by  a  thorough 
drying,  is  good  for  bamboo  furniture. 


184  HEIPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


THE  CARE  OF  GLOVES 

In  buying  "  kids,"  examine  the  fingers  separately  and  look 
for  broken  stitches.  If,  when  stretching  the  fingers  the  thread  pulls 
away  from  the  kid,  leaving  a  white  spot,  the  gloves  will  not  wear  well. 

When  the  kid  stretches  easily  and  seems  elastic,  it  is  likely 
to  be  a  good  quality;  but  if  it  is  stiff  or  unyielding  it  will  neither  fit 
nor  wear  well. 

Always  get  a  glove  large  enough.  If  they  are  so  narrow  as  to 
require  stretching  they  will  never  look  as  well  as  if  the  hand  was 
the  first  stretcher. 

If  they  are  short-fingered,  they  convert  the  hand  into  a  positive 
deformity,  and  do  not  wear  half  so  long  as  when  they  are  of  the 
proper  size.  A  great  deal  depends  upon  how  the  gloves  are  put 
on  the  first  time. 

The  hands  should  be  dry  and  cool ;  if  they  are  at  all  moist  they 
should  be  well  powdered. 

First  work  on  the  fingers,  keeping  the  thumb  outside  the  glove. 
When  the  thumb  is  put  in,  place  the  elbow  on  the  knee  and  work 
the  glove  down  carefully  and  smoothly.  Button  the  second  button 
first,  and  so  on  to  the  top,  leaving  the  first  button  till  the  last. 

The  greatest  strain  is  on  the  first  button,  and  when  this  is 
partially  relieved  by  the  fastening  of  the  other  buttons,  the  drawing 
of  seams,  tearing  of  the  kid  or  enlarging  of  the  buttonhole  is  pre- 
vented. 

When  removing  gloves,  never  begin  at  the  tips  of  the  fingers 
to  pull  them  off,  turn  back  the  wrist  and  draw  them  off  wrong  side 
out. 

Before  putting  them  away  turn  them  right  side  out  and  smooth 
out  lengthwise. 

Never  roll  them  up  tightly,  one  inside  of  the  other,  as  whatever 
moisture  they  may  have  gathered  from  the  hands  dries  in  this  way 
very  slowly,  and  makes  the  kid  stiff  and  hard.  Strips  of  canton 
flannel  are  good  to  lay  away  between  gloves. 

Dry  commeal  will  clean  light  gloves  nicely,  but  if  much  soiled 
it  is  better  to  send  them  to  a  reputable  cleaner. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  185 

Benzine  will  clean  white  gloves,  but  it  is  not  to  be  recom- 
mended where  there  is  any  color. 

Spongy  rubber  is  also  often  used  for  glove-cleaning.  It  is  applied 
in  the  same  manner  as  in  cleaning  drawings. 

To  freshen  black  kid  gloves,  mix  a  teaspoonful  of  salad  oil 
with  a  few  drops  of  black  ink.  Apply  with  a  feather  and  dry  in 
the  sun. 

A  reliable  cleanser  for  gloves:  Tinct.  of  quillaia,  10  parts;  am- 
monia water,  3  parts;  sulphuric  ether,  10  parts;  deodorized  benzine, 
q.  s.  to  make  100  parts:  Mix.  Shake  before  using.  Apply  with  a 
flannel  cloth. 

Stale  bread  is  sometimes  used  for  cleaning  kid  gloves.    The 

gloves  are  put  on  and  the  softer  part  of  the  bread  is  broken  up  into 
crumbs  and  the  hands  are  rubbed  one  over  the  other  as  in  the  act 
of  washing,  the  crumbs  being  thus  rubbed  over  all  parts  of  the  gloves. 

Black  cotton  gloves  will  not  crock  the  hands  if  scalded  in  salt 
water  before  wearing.  The  salt  prevents  fading.  When  almost 
dry,  one  should  put  them  on,  in  order  to  stretch  them  and  keep 
them  in  good  shape. 

Cleaning  Gloves. — The  usual  method  employed,  to  clean  with 
benzine  or  gasoline,  has  the  disadvantage  that  the  look  of  the  gloves 
tells  about  the  cleaning.  A  better  way  is  stated  to  be  as  follows: 
Spread  the  gloves  smoothly  on  a  folded  towel,  and  rub  them  well 
with  a  piece  of  flannel  dipped  into  pure  milk  and  then  rubbed  on  a 
piece  of  castile  soap.  The  gloves  are  cleaned  when  the  white  ones 
look  yellow  as  long  as  they  are  wet,  and  the  colored  ones  look  black. 
On  drying,  the  original  colors  reappear. 

Talcum  powder  should  be  well  rubbed  into  white  kid  gloves  that 
have  been  cleaned  with  gasoline,  as  that  volatile  product  gives  the 
leather  a  predisposition  for  dirt,  and  the  talcum  removes  the  dull 
appearance  caused  by  gasoline. 

How  to  Clean  Kid  Gloves. — Provide  a  tall  glass  cylinder,  in  the 
bottom  of  which  place  strong  aqua  ammonia.  Be  careful  to  remove 
from  the  sides  of  the  jar  any  ammonia  that  may  have  been  spattered 
upon  them.  Suspend  the  gloves  to  the  stopper  of  the  jar  and  allow 
them  to  remain  for  a  day  in  the  atmosphere  of  ammonia.  They 
must  not  come  in  contact  with  the  liquid. 


186  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Chamois  gloves  in  white  and  light  shades  may  be  washed  in 
the  following  manner:  Make  a  lather  with  castile  soap  and  warm 
water,  using  a  spoonful  of  ammonia  to  each  quart.  When  the  water 
is  tepid  put  the  gloves  in  it  and  let  them  soak  for  a  quarter  of  an 
hour,  then  press  them  Vvith  the  hands,  but  do  not  wring  them.  Kinse 
in  fresh  cold  water  with  a  little  ammonia  added.  Press  the  gloves 
in  a  towel.  Dry  them  in  the  open  air  after  previously  blowing  to 
puff  them  out. 

DYEING  GLOVES 

Should  there  be  any  holes  in  the  gloves,  they  must  be  carefully 
mended  before  commencing  the  dyeing  process;  and  the  tops  also 
should  be  sewn  up,  to  prevent  any  of  the  dye  getting  on  the  inside. 

For  black,  first  brush  the  gloves  with  alcohol;  when  dry,  brush 
them  again  with  a  decoction  of  logwood;  when  this  is  dry,  repeat 
the  logwood  wash,  and,  after  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  dip  them  into 
a  weak  solution  of  green  vitriol.  If  the  color  be  not  yet  black,  a 
little  fustic  may  be  added  to  the  logwood.  The  gloves  should  be 
thoroughly  rubbed  with  a  mixture  of  pure  olive  oil  and  French 
chalk,  as  they  begin  to  dry,  to  give  them  a  smooth,  soft,  and  glossy 
appearance;  they  should  then  be  wrapped  in  flannel  and  placed 
under  a  heavy  weight. 

Gloves  can  be  dyed  brown  by  using  a  decoction  of  fustic,  alum, 
and  Brazil  wood;  this  should  be  applied  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
foregoing. 

A  decoction  of  sumac  and  a  very  weak  solution  of  green  vitriol 
produce  gray;  greenish-gray  being  obtained  by  the  addition  of  log- 
wood and  fustic  to  the  sumac. 

Fancy  shades  can  be  produced  by  using  the  aniline  colors  in 
solution;  they  can  be  simply  applied  with  a  sponge. 


CARE  OF  SHOES  AND  SLIPPERS 

Shoes  and  slippers,  if  taken  care  of  properly,  will  last  two  or 
three  times  longer  than  they  usually  do  and  fit  the  feet  more  satis- 
factorily. 

Glycerine  is  a  good  shoe  dressing;  it  makes  the  leather  soft 
and  pliable. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  187 

If  boots  squeak,  drive  a  peg  in  the  center  of  the  sole. 

The  inside  of  the  skin  of  the  banana  rubbed  on  the  leather 
of  tan  shoes  will  clean  and  polish  them  as  well  as  a  regular  dressing. 

Milk  applied  once  a  week  with  a  soft  cloth  will  greatly  freshen 
and  preserve  boots,  shoes,  chair  seats,  etc. 

A  varnish  for  bronze  boots  and  slippers  is  made  by  dissolving 
aniline  red  in  sliclluc  or  other  varnish. 

To  prevent  patent  leather  from  cracking,  always  warm  the 
leather  before  inserting  the  foot  in  the  shoe.  Heat  renders  patent 
leather  soft  and  pliable. 

To  freshen  up  patent  leather  when  it  has  become  dull,  use  com- 
mon vaseline.  Allow  the  vaseline  to  remain  on  the  shoe  for  half  an 
hour,  then  remove  with  a  soft  rag. 

A  paste  suitable  to  preserve  the  gloss  of  patent  leather  and 

prevent  cracking  is  made  of  wax  with  a  little  olive  oil,  lard,  and  oil 
of  turpentine,  mixed  when  warm,  to  be  of  the  consistency  of  thick 
paste  when  cooled. 

Rub  fine  kid  shoes  once  a  week  with  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of 
glycerine  and  castor  oil.    They  will  then  never  crack. 

To  prevent  wet  from  penetrating  boots,  take  half  a  pound 
of  tallow  or  mutton  suet,  four  ounces  of  lard,  two  ounces  of  turpen- 
tine, and  the  same  quantity  of  new  beeswax  and  olive  oil,  dissolve 
over  the  fire,  mixing  well,  and  apply  it  to  the  leather. 

If  the  soles  of  a  child's  new  hard-soled  shoes  are  slightly 
roughened  with  a  file  or  rasp,  the  child  will  be  saved  many  hard  falls. 

Home-made  shoe  polish  is  prepared  as  follows:  Mix  lampblack 
to  a  smooth  paste  with  vaseline.  Apply  with  a  flannel,  and  it  will 
preserx'e  instead  of  cracking  the  leather,  as  is  the  case  with  most 
of  the  liquid  polishes. 

People  should  never  go  in  the  early  morning  to  get  boots  and 
shoes  fitted.  In  the  later  part  of  the  day  the  feet  are  at  their 
maximum  size.  Activity  and  standing  tend  to  enlarge  the  feet.  If 
people  would  remember  this  rule,  there  would  not  be  so  many  com- 
plaints of  shoes  being  tight  when  worn  which  seemed  so  comfortable 
when  fitted. 


188  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  Restore  Color  of  Kid  Shoes. — Take  a  small  quantity  of  good 
black  ink,  mix  it  with  the  white  of  an  egg  and  apply  wnth  a  soft  sponge. 

A  shoe  that  is  uncomfortable  from  pinching  may  be  fixed  by 
laying  a  cloth,  wet  in  hot  water,  across  the  place  where  it  pinches, 
changing  it  as  it  grows  cooler,  for  a  number  of  times. 

To  Soften  Leather. — The  best  way  to  soften  hard  (stiff)  leather 
is  first  to  let  it  soak  for  several  hours  in  water,  wipe  it  somewhat  dry, 
and  then  rub  it  vigorously  with  warm  grease  or  oil.  The  chief  point 
is  that  oil  does  not  readily  penetrate  dry  leather,  but  is  absorbed 
quite  easily  when  the  leather  is  wet. 

To  Clean  Kid  Slippers. — Put  one-half  ounce  of  hartshorn  into 
a  saucer,  dip  a  bit  of  clean  flannel  into  it  and  rub  it  on  a  piece  of 
white  curd  soap.  Rub  the  slippers  with  this,  and  as  each  piece  of 
flannel  becomes  soiled,  take  a  fresh  piece.  The  slippers  will  look 
like  new. 

Patent  leather  shoes  require  care  to  look  well.  They  should 
be  wiped  with  a  damp  sponge  and  afterward  with  a  soft,  dry  cloth, 
and  occasionally  with  a  cloth  dampened  with  a  little  sweet  oil. 
Blacken  and  polish  the  edges  of  the  soles  in  the  usual  way,  but  do 
not  cover  the  patent  leather  with  the  blacking.  A  cloth  moistened 
in  a  little  milk  may  be  used  on  patent  leather  with  good  effect. 

If  none  of  the  preparations  for  cleaning  brown  leather  meets 
with  your  approbation,  try  a  mixture  which  can  easily  be  made  at 
home,  of  skimmed  milk,  half  an  ounce  of  spirits  of  salts,  half  an 
ounce  of  spirits  of  lavender,  an  ounce  of  gum  arable,  and  the  juice 
of  two  lemons.  Rub  the  shoes  with  a  piece  of  sponge  dipped  in  this 
preparation,  and  when  dry  polish  them  off  with  a  bit  of  flannel. 

To  Fasten  Shoe  Buttons. — Remove  all  buttons  from  the  shoes 
and  cut  a  small  hole  (large  enough  for  the  shoe  string  to  pass  through) 
at  each  place  a  button  is  needed.  Pull  the  shoe  string  through  the 
first  hole  and  through  the  button,  then  back  again  through  the 
same  hole,  and  so  on.    The  buttons  will  stay  on  indefinitely. 

To  Make  Shoes  Waterproof. — To  make  your  summer  tramping 
shoes  impervious  to  dew  and  rain,  first  rid  yourself  of  the  objection 
to  handling  pitch,  turpentine  and  lampblack.  Tlien  soak  the  soles 
in  warm  tar.  After  this  oil  the  uppers  well  and  give  them  a  coating  of 
a  mixture  made  with  one  and  a  half  ounces  each  of  shellac  and  white 
pine  gum,  one  dram  each  of  sweet  oil,  Venice  turpentine  and  lamp- 
black and  half  a  pint  of  alcohol.  One  application  will  render  any 
shoe  waterproof. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  189 


WINDOW  SHADES 

When  putting  muslin  curtains  on  a  brass  or  wooden  rod,  first 
cover  the  end  of  the  rod  with  the  finger  of  an  old  glove.  This  will 
prevent  the  tearing  of  the  curtain  and  also  save  time. 

Fastening  a  Shade  on  a  Roller. — Tack  the  shade  in  the  usual 
manner  and  roll  it  as  far  back  as  possible,  and  while  in  this  position 
apply  an  ample  quantity  of  glue  near  the  tacks.  A  shade  attached 
in  this  manner  will  not  come  loose  from  the  roller. 


Fastening  Window  Shades  Easily. — A  simple  device  will  save 
time  and  worriment,  and  also  save  marring  the  woodwork  of  the 
house.  Take  a  lath  or  bit  of  wood  of  that  thickness,  cut  it  the 
length  of  the  curtain  roller  plus  the  fixtures;  then  fasten  the  latter 
securely  upon  it,  one  at  either  end.  This  little  frame  once  made  to 
fit  lasts  for  years;  it  is  nailed  up  with  a  stroke  or  two  of  the  hammer, 
and  when  the  shade  is  slipped  into  place,  it  is  whoUy  out  of  sight. 

The  flapping  of  the  window  shade,  when  the  sash  is  raised 
and  the  shade  lowered,  is  a  serious  annoyance.  The  way  to  prevent 
the  tapping  is  very  simple.  Screw  two  little  brass  hooks,  one  on  each 
side  of  the  window-frame,  opposite  each  other  about  twelve  inches 
from  the  sill.  At  night  tie  a  ribbon  or  broad  tape  across  the  open 
window,  from  one  hook  to  the  other,  as  sailors  say,  "taut."  Screw 
a  third  hook  in  the  moulding  below  the  sill,  exactly  in  the  center. 
Pull  down  the  shade  over  the  ribbon,  and  tie  the  cord  to  the  lower 
hook.    The  shade  will  be  held  firmly  in  place. 


POLISHES 

For  a  polish  for  black  walnut,  use  alcoholic  shellac  varnish 
two  parts,  boiled  oil  one  part;  shake  well  and  apply  with  a  cloth. 

A  simple  furniture  polish  is  three  parts  of  linseed  oil  and  one 

Eart  spirits  of  turpentine.  It  not  only  covers  the  disfigured  surface, 
ut  restores  wood  to  its  original  color  and  leaves  upon  the  surface  a 
beautiful  lustre.  Put  on  with  a  brush  and  rub  down  with  a  woolen 
cloth. 


190  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  Handy  Furniture  Polish. — Make  a  mixture  of  olive  oil  one 

part  and  vinegar  two  parts.  Apply  it  to  the  furniture  with  a  canton 
flannel  cloth.  Rub  dry  u-ith  another  cloth  of  same  material.  A  house- 
keeper who  uses  this  polish  on  the  finest  varnished  furniture  says  it 
has  no  equal. 

If  the  woodwork  is  of  oiled  wood  it  wiU  need  no  cleaning  except 
rubbing  off  with  clear  cold  water,  or  perhaps  with  linseed  oil.  If  it 
has  been  grained  and  varnished,  it  may  be  cleaned  in  the  same  way, 
and  if  the  varnish  is  marred  and  scratched,  it  can  be  restored  to  its 
former  good  looks  by  applying  turpentine  and  linseed  oil,  equal 
parts  of  each,  well  mixed  together,  and  rubbed  in  with  a  silk  or 
woolen  cloth. 

To  polish  black  marble,  use  oxide  of  tin.  It  does  not  stain. 
Woolen  cloth  or  felt — say,  an  old  felt  hat — ^is  most  suitable  as  a 
rubber. 

To  polish  ivory,  rub  first  with  fine  glass-paper,  and  then  with  a 
piece  of  wet  linen  cloth  dipped  in  powdered  pumice  stone.  The  final 
poUsh  may  be  produced  by  washed  chalk  or  fine  whiting  applied 
with  a  piece  of  cloth  wetted  with  soapsuds. 

To  Polish  Tortoise  Shell. — Having  scraped  the  work  perfectly 
smooth  and  level,  rub  it  with  very  fine  sandpaper;  repeat  the  rubbing 
with  a  bit  of  felt  dipped  in  very  finely  powdered  charcoal  with 
water,  and  lastly  with  rotten  stone  or  putty-powder,  and  finish  with 
a  piece  of  soft  wash-leather  dampened  with  a  little  sweet  oil. 

Cement  that  will  hold  tortoise  shell  together,  also  hold  it  to 
steel  or  brass:  Take  of  mastic  30  parts,  shellac  90  parts,  turpentine 
6  parts,  spirits  of  wine  90  per  cent,  strong,  350  parts. 

A  good  cem.ent  for  celluloid  is  made  from  one  part  shellac  dis- 
solved in  one  part  of  spirits  of  camphor,  and  from  three  to  four  parts 
of  ninety  per  cent,  alcohol.  The  cement  should  be  applied  warm, 
and  the  broken  parts  securely  held  together  until  the  solvent  has 
entirely  evaporated. 

To  make  black  sealing  wax,  purchase  three  pounds  of  the  best 
black  resin  and  one  ^jound  of  finely  powdered  ivory  black.  Melt  the 
whole  together  over  a  slow  fire  and  pour  into  sticks.  To  render  fit 
for  letter  use,  add,  while  soft,  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  Venice  tur- 
pentine. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  191 


CLEANING  GOLD  AND  SIL\T:R  ARTICLES 

To  clean  gold  lace  or  embroidery,  brush  with  a  soft  brush 
dipped  in  alcohol,  being  careful  not  to  split  the  threads. 

Tarnished  gold  embroidery  may  be  cleaned  with  a  brush 
dipped  in  burned  and  pulverized  rock  alum. 

Gilt  frames  of  mirrors,  pictures,  etc.,  should  never  be  touched 
with  an>-thing  but  clean  water,  gently  appHed  with  a  soft  sponge 
or  brush. 

Oxidized  silver  can  be  made  clean  by  boiling  it  in  a  solution 
of  forty  parts  of  water  and  one  jiart  of  sulphuric  acid,  or  by  heating 
it  and  dipping  it  into  the  solution. 

If  silverware  is  occasionally  washed  in  hot  soapsuds  in  which 
a  little  pulverized  borax  has  been  dissolved  and  then  rinsed  in  clear 
boiling  water,  it  will  not  need  so  much  cleaning  with  powders. 

Put  a  lump  of  camphor  in  the  case  with  the  silverware  when 
packing  it  away  for  the  summer  months.  If  this  is  done  the  silver 
will  be  less  liable  to  become  discolored. 

I  To  keep  silver  bright,  each  evening  pour  scalding  hot  water 
over  each  piece,  and  dry  with  a  soft  linen  towel.  Once  a  week  polish 
with  soft  cliamois,  then  place  in  canton  flannel  bags. 

French  gold  ornaments  may  be  cleaned  by  rubbing  them  with 
a  soft  brush  that  has  been  dipped  into  a  mixture  of  ten  drops  of 
i.mmonia  and  a  pint  of  water.  Dry  in  a  soft  linen  cloth  and  polish 
with  chamois  skin. 

Jewelry  can  be  beautifully  cleaned  by  washing  it  in  hot  soap- 
suds to  which  a  few  drops  of  ammonia  have  been  added,  and  then 
shaking  off  the  water  and  laying  the  jewelry  in  a  box  of  jewelers' 
sawdust.    This  method  leaves  no  marks  or  scratches. 

A  liquid  for  cleaning  silver  is  made  as  follows:  Add  gradually 
eight  cunccs  of  prepared  chalk  to  a  mixture  of  two  ounces  of  spirits 
of  turpentine,  one  ounce  of  alcohol,  half  an  ounce  of  spirits  of  cam- 
phor and  two  drachms  of  aqua  ammonia.  Apply  with  a  soft  sponge 
and  allow  it  to  dry  before  polishing. 


192  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Simple  Test  for  Gold. — Take  a  piece  of  flint  and  rub  against  it 
the  metallic  object  to  be  tested,  until  the  latter  leaves  a  sufficiently- 
marked  trace  upon  the  stone.  Upon  bringing  the  flame  of  a  sulphur 
match  in  contact  with  the  spot,  the  latter  will  remain  intact  if  it  has 
been  made  with  gold,  but  will  disappear  if  the  contrary  be  the  case. 

Cleaning  and  polishing  gold.  Mix,  acetic  acid  2  parts,  sul- 
phuric acid  2  parts,  oxalic  acid  1  part,  with  200  parts  of  distilled 
water;  stir  into  the  mixture  2  parts  of  jewelers'  rouge  which  has  been 
wetted  with  some  of  the  water.  Apply  with  a  clean  cloth,  rinse  well 
with  hot  water,  and  dry. 

Dull  gold  can  be  cleaned  with  the  following  solution:  80 
grammes  each  of  calcium  hypochlorite*  and  sodium  bicarbonate,  and 
20  grammes  of  common  salt  in  3  quarts  of  distilled  water.  Preserve 
in  corked  bottles.  Articles  to  be  cleaned  should  be  put  into  a  basin 
and  covered  with  the  mixture.  After  a  time  they  should  be  taken  out, 
washed,  rinsed  in  alcohol,  and  dried  in  sawdust.  The  articles  will 
then  look  as  good  as  new. 

To  keep  silver  and  silver-plated  articles  from  getting  dim, 
as  they  are  apt  to  do  after  standing  a  long  time  without  being  used, 
especially  in  rooms  where  the  coal  burnt  holds  a  good  deal  of  sulphur, 
they  are  sometimes  first  heated,  then  painted  over  with  collodion 
considerably  diluted  with  spirits  of  wine,  the  application  being  made 
with  a  fine  brush.  The  layer  soon  dries,  and  is  transparent  and 
invisible ;  it  fully  protects  the  silver,  and  it  can  be  removed,  when 
necessary,  with  hot  water. 

Gilt  articles,  if  of  metal,  may  be  cleansed  by  rubbing  them  gently 
with  a  sponge  or  soft  brush  moistened  with  a  solution  of  half  an 
ounce  of  potash,  or  an  ounce  of  soda,  or  perhaps  best,  an  ounce  of 
borax,  in  a  pint  of  water;  then  rinsing  them  in  clean  water  and  drying 
with  a  soft  linen  rag.  Their  lustre  may  be  improved,  in  certain 
cases,  by  gently  heating  them,  and  then  applying  gentle  friction  with 
a  soft  rag.  A  very  dilute  solution  of  cyanide  of  potassium  will 
answer  the  same  purpose,  by  applying  it  in  the  same  manner  as  above, 
washing  in  water  and  finally  drying  by  gentle  friction  with  a  linen 
rag;  but  as  this  substance  is  very  poisonous,  it  is  not  to  be  recom- 
mended for  household  uses. 


•Calcium  hypcx;hlorite  is  a  poison.     The  antidotes  are  steam,  ammonia  vapor, 
ether  vapor,  and  very  dilute  hydrogen  sulphide  gas. 


1 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  193 


HOUSEHOLD  CEMENTS 

To  Mend  Cracks  in  Plastering. — Mix  plaster  of  Paris  with 
vinegar  instead  of  water.     It  hardens  quickly. 

Leaks  about  chimneys  may  be  stopped  by  a  cement  of  coal-tar 
and  sand,  neatly  applied. 

To  Mend  Celluloid  Articles. — Wet  the  two  edges  with  glacial 
acetic  acid,  and  press  them  close  together  for  a  short  time. 

Cement  for  Objects  which  Have  to  Be  Heated. — Iron  fiUngs, 
100  parts;  clay,  50  parts;  common  salt,  10  parts;  quartz-sand,  20 
parts. 

Sealing  Wax  for  Fruit  Cans. — Melt  together  1  ounce  yellow 
wax,  3  ounces  American  vermilion,  5  ounces  gum  shellac,  and  1 
pound  rosin.     Run  into  moulds. 

Cement  for  Stoves. — Equal  parts  of  lime,  salt  and  wood  ashes 
are  mixed  with  water  to  make  a  thick  paste,  which  is  worked  into 
the  cracks  in  the  stove.  The  stove  must  not  be  hot.  This  cement 
hardens  like  stone  with  time. 

Cement  that  Will  Hold  Metal  and  Glass  Together.— Boil 

three  parts  of  rosin  with  one  part  of  caustic  soda  and  five  of  water. 
Then  mix  the  composition  with  half  its  weight  of  plaster  of  Paris;  it 
will  set  in  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  is  a  low  conductor  of  heat,  is 
not  permeable  to  petroleum,  and  only  very  slightly  so  to  hot  water. 

Ivory  Cement. — Dissolve  one  part  of  isinglass  and  two  parts  of 
white  glue  in  thirty  of  water;  strain,  and  evaporate  to  six  parts. 
Add  one-thirtieth  part  of  gum  mastic  dissolved  in  one-half  part  of 
alcohol ;  add  one  part  zinc  white.  When  required  for  use,  warm  and 
shake  up. 

To  mend  a  broken  plaster  cast,  paint  the  broken  surface  over 
two  or  three  times  with  very  thick  shellac  varnish,  and  after  each 
application  burn  th£ alcohol  over  a  flame.  When  the  shellac  is  soft, 
press  the  parts  together  and  tie  in  place  until  cold.  The  article  will 
be  as  strong  as  it  was  before  being  broken. 


194  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Cement  to  Mend  China. — Take  a  very  thick  solution  of  gum 
arabic  and  stir  into  it  plaster  of  Paris,  until  the  mixture  is  of  proper 
consistency.  Apply  it  with  a  brush  to  the  fractured  edges  of  the 
chinaware,  and  stick  them  together.  In  a  few  days  it  will  be  impos- 
sible to  break  the  article  in  the  same  place.  The  whiteness  of  the 
cement  renders  it  doubly  valuable. 

Hard  Cement  for  Seams. — Take  equal  quantities  of  white  lead 
and  white  sand  and  as  much  oil  as  uill  make  it  into  the  consistency 
of  putty.  Apply  this  to  the  seams  in  the  roofs  of  houses,  and  so 
forth.    It  will  in  a  few  weeks'  time  become  as  hard  as  stone. 


A  very  complete  filling  for  open  cracks  in  floors  may  be  made 
by  thoroughly  soaking  newspapers  in  paste  made  of  one  pound  of 
flour,  three  quarts  of  water  and  a  tablespoonful  of  alum,  thoroughly 
boiled  and  mixed.  Make  the  final  mixture  about  as  thick  as  putty, 
and  it  will  harden  like  papier-mache. 

Graniteware  is  not  to  be  soldered,  because  the  solder  will  not 
hold,  but  a  hole  in  a  granite  pan  or  kettle  may  easily  be  mended  by 
the  means  of  a  rivet.  Push  the  rivet  through  the  hole,  and  then 
pound  it  down.  This  makes  an  instantaneous  repair,  and  it  lasts 
indefinitely.  Tinware  and  ironware  as  well  as  granite  may  be 
mended  with  the  rivets. 

Cement  to  Mend  Iron  Pots  and  Pans. — Take  two  parts  of 
sulphur,  and  one  part,  by  weight,  of  fine  black  lead;  put  the  sulphur 
in  an  old  iron  pan,  holding  it  over  the  fire  until  it  begins  to  melt, 
then  add  the  lead;  stir  it  well  until  all  is  mixed  and  melted;  then  pour 
out  on  an  iron  plate  or  smooth  stone.  When  cool,  break  into  small 
pieces.  A  sufficient  quantity  of  this  compound  being  placed  upon 
the  crack  of  the  iron  pot  to  be  mended,  can  be  soldered  by  a  hot  iron 
in  the  same  way  a  tinsmith  solders  his  sheets.  If  there  is  a  small 
hole  in  the  pot,  drive  a  copper  rivet  in  it,  and  then  solder  over 
with  cement. 

A  cement  for  stopping  leaks  in  water-tanks,  or  aquariums,  is 
made  by  taking  litharge,  fine  white  dry  sand,  and  plaster  of  Paris, 
of  each  one  gill;  finely  powdered  resin,  one-third  gill.  These  in- 
gredients are  to  be  throughly  mixed,  and  made  into  a  paste,  with 
boiled  linseed  oil  to  which  some  drier  has  been  added.  The  paste  is 
then  to  be  beaten  well,  and  allowed  to  stand  for  four  or  five  hours 
before  using  it.  Glass  cemented  into  its  frame  with  this  cement 
■will  hold  either  salt  or  fresh  water. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  195 

If  powdered  chalk  be  added  to  glue  it  will  strengthen  it. 

To  make  glue  that  will  resist  the  action  of  water,  boil  one 
pound  of  glue  with  two  quarts  of  skimmed  milk. 

When  first  you  take  a  cork  out  of  a  glue,  cement,  or  any  other 
kind  of  a  bottle  where  it  is  liable  to  stick,  rub  its  edges  with  a  little 
lard,  and  it  always  comes  out  easily  thereafter. 

To  make  excellent  glue,  cover  pieces  of  glue  (as  it  comes  in  the 
dry  state)  with  vinegar;  keep  in  a  warm  place  and  shake  occasionally 
until  dissolved.    For  mucilage,  thin  it  with  more  vinegar. 

To  make  "marine  glue"  that  will  resist  the  action  of  water, 
both  hot  and  cold,  and  most  of  the  acids  and  alkalies,  proceed  as 
follows:  Take  of  gum  shellac  three  parts,  and  of  caoutchouc  or  India 
rubber,  one  part  by  weight.  Dissolve  the  shellac  and  rubber  in 
separate  vessels  in  ether,  free  from  alcohol,  applying  a  gentle  heat. 
When  thoroughly  dissolved,  mix  the  two  solutions,  and  keep  in  a 
bottle  tightly  corked.  Pieces  of  leather,  wood  or  other  substances, 
joined  together  by  it  will  part  at  any  other  point  than  the  joint  just 
made.  If  the  glue  be  thinned  by  the  admixture  of  ether,  and  applied 
as  a  varnish  to  leather  along  the  seams  where  it  is  sewed  together, 
it  renders  the  joint  or  seam  watertight,  and  almost  impossible  to 
separate. 

BEDROOMS 

One  person  can  exhaust  all  the  air  in  an  ordinary  bedroom 
in  an  hour. 

An  inlet  for  fresh  air  should  be  provided  for  each  room  and  bed- 
room. 

Open  windows  of  sleeping  and  living  rooms  every  pleasant  day 
for  a  few  moments. 

Hang  out  pillows,  blankets,  quilts,  etc.,  on  the  Line  occasionally 
through  the  winter  and  spring. 

To  increase  the  warmth  of  bedclothes,  lay  newspapers  between. 

Woolen  hangings  should  be  used  in  bedrooms,  or  woolen  uphol- 
stery. 

Milk  weed  pods  make  a  fine  down  for  stuffing  head-rest  cushions. 


196  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Ck>tton  batting  or  sheep's  wool  pulled  apart  very  finely,  does 
very  well  to  stuff  sofa  pillows  if  feathers  are  scarce. 

Paper  wrapped  around  the  ends  of  bedstead  slats  will  do 
away  with  the  annoying  creaking  sounds. 

If  feather  pillows  have  an  unpleasant  smell,  place  them  be- 
fore a  good  fire  and  let  them  have  a  thorough  drying. 

Small  jugs,  one-quart  size,  covered  with  crocheted  wool,  make 
excellent  hot-water  bottles. 

The  bedstead  needs  cleaning  weekly.  Top,  bottom,  back  and 
front  must  be  gone  over  with  a  damp  cloth,  or  perhaps  a  sponge  wet 
in  benzine. 

A  well  ventilated  bedroom  and  the  sleeper's  head  entirely  cov- 
ered with  the  bedclothes,  is  no  better  than  sleeping  with  a  closed 
window. 

Never  sun  feather  beds.  Air  them  thoroughly  on  a  windy  day 
in  a  cold  place.  The  sun  draws  the  oil  and  gives  the  feathers  a  rancid 
smell. 

Pillow  slips  should  be  a  half-inch  narro\?er  than  the  pil- 
lows they  are  to  cover.  This  snugness  in  fit  insures  the  pillows 
standing  upright  when  the  bed  is  made  up. 

An  old  quilt  tacked  over  bed  springs  is  a  great  protection  to 
the  mattress.  The  dust  that  comes  from  below  cannot  lodge  in  the 
mattresses  and  spots  of  rust  and  hard  wear  are  dispensed  with. 

Closets  should  be  cleaned  systematically,  shelves  and  floors 
and  cleats  should  be  washed.  All  discarded  articles  should  be  re- 
moved at  once. 

To  utilize  worn  Marseilles  spreads  or  counterpanes,  cut  off 
the  worn  ends,  hem  neatly  and  use  as  hushers  on  the  dining  table. 
They  are  just  the  right  weight  for  this  purpose. 

To  Know  whether  a  Bed  be  Damp  or  Not. — After  the  bed  is 
warmed,  put  a  glass  goblet  in  between  the  sheets,  and  if  the  bed  be 
damp,  in  a  few  minutes  drops  of  wet  will  appear  in  the  inside  of  the 
glass.  This  is  of  great  consequence  to  be  attended  to  in  travelling, 
as  many  persons  have  laid  the  foundation  of  incurable  disorders  by 
sleeping  in  a  damp  bed. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  197 

To  make  the  lifting  and  turning  of  mattresses  easy,  cover 
some  heavy  clothesline  with  braid  and  cut  into  eight-inch  lengths. 
It  makes  excellent  handles.  Sew  one  of  these  securely  to  each  end 
or  side  of  single  mattresses,  or  two  on  a  double  one. 

After  eiderdown  comforters  have  been  used  for  a  time  they 
lose  their  lightness.  Hang  such  comforters  over  a  line  in  a  strong 
wind  for  a  few  hours  and  give  them  a  good  beating  with  a  rattan. 
This  will  give  them  renewed  life. 

Sheets  usually  wear  out  in  the  center  where  the  most  wear 
comes,  so  when  they  begin  to  get  thin  there,  tear  them  down  length- 
wise and  sew  the  outer  edges  together;  thus  the  unworn  part  will 
come  in  the  center  of  the  sheet. 

Tacking  Comforts. — The  loosening  of  knots,  where  yarn  is  used, 
may  be  prevented  by  tying  a  square  knot,  made  by  passing  the  left 
end  under  the  right,  pull  each  end  evenly  so  that  the  twist  will  fall 
equally  on  each  thread.  Next  pass  the  right  thread  under  and  pull 
as  before.  Draw  snugly,  and  you  will  have  a  knot  that  will  not  work 
loose. 

Warming  Bottle. — Fill  the  bottle  with  acetate  of  sodium  or, 
better  still,  with  a  mixture  of  the  acetate  with  the  hyposulphite 
(1  to  10)  to  about  three-fourths  of  its  capacity,  cork  tightly,  and 
heat  in  boiling  water  till  the  salt  melts.  The  bottle  will  now  radiate 
heat  for  10  or  12  hours.    As  soon  as  cooled  down,  melt  the  salt  again. 

To  Keep  Comforts  Clean, — Take  a  sheet  the  size  of  your  com- 
fort and  work  buttonholes  along  the  two  sides  of  the  top  and  the 
bottom,  sew  buttons  on  the  corresponding  parts  of  your  comfort, 
and  button  the  sheet  on.  Use  this  side  next  to  the  bed,  and  your 
comfort  will  be  unsoiled  and  perfectly  sanitary,  as  you  change  this 
sheet  with  the  other  bed  linen.  If  you  prefer,  loops  of  tape  can  be 
used  on  the  sheets  instead  of  the  button-holes. 

To  transfer  feathers  from  one  pillow  to  another,  rip  the 

seam  four  inches  in  the  end  of  each  and  sew  the  edges  of  one  hole, 
thus  made,  to  those  of  the  other.  The  feathers  may  then  be  readily 
worked  through  the  aperture,  without  the  disagreeble  experience  of 
inhaling  the  flying  down. 

When  making  down  pillows,  wax  the  inner  covering,  and  then 
the  down  will  not  be  able  to  work  through  the  two  covers.  To  do 
this,  iron  the  wrong  side  of  the  tick  with  a  hot  fiatiron  rubbed  with 
beeswax,  rubbing  the  iron  over  the  wax  each  time  before  putting  it 
on  the  cloth. 


198 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


To  Protect  Pillows. — Cover  your  bed  pillows  with  a  basted-on 
pillow  case  of  old  thin  muslin,  which  will  keep  the  ticking  from 
head  stains — and  the  feathers  from  collecting  possible  disease  germs 
—and  will  make  the  top  pillow  case  look  whiter  than  when  put 
directly  on  the  ticking. 


A  screen  for  preventing  drafts  when  a  window  is  left  open  for 
fresh  air,  is  shown  in  the  sketch.  The  screen  is  attached  to  the  bed- 
post on  hinges,  so  that  it  may  swing  in  any  position.  This  permits 
it  to  swing  out  of  the  way  cither  when  getting  into  bed  or  in  case 
the  sleeper  gets  up  suddenly  in  the  dark. 

To  Make  Chicken  Feather  Pillows. — Save  the  feathers — leaving 
out  all  those  that  are  long  and  stiff  until  there  are  enough  for  a  pillow. 
Then  wash  in  soapsuds,  rinse  thoroughly,  and  put  in  muslin  flour 
sack  to  dry.  Put  where  the  air  will  dry  them  as  rapidly  as  possible, 
shaking  often  until  perfectly  dry  and  fluffy.  Use  the  best  of  ticking 
in  making  the  pillows. 

Feathers  for  Beds. — Feathers  should  be  put  into  thin  bags,  of 
old  furniture  lining  or  thin  calico,  as  soon  as  they  are  plucked,  and 
either  kept  in  a  brick  oven  between  the  days  of  baking,  or  hung  in 
a  very  drying  place.  The  feathers  must  be  put  lightly  into  the  bags, 
that  they  may  dry  thoroughly;  if  not  dried  at  first,  nothing  will 
remove  the  taint.    They  must  be  kept  very  dry  until  used  for  a  bed. 

If  any  trace  of  the  cimex  is  found,  use  the  very  best  alcohol 
generously.  This  not  only  kills  those  that  are  alive,  but  destroys 
the  eggs  and  cleans  mattress  and  bed.  The  nesting  places  must  be 
examined  and  treated.  Picture  moldings,  back  and  front,  picture 
frames,  woodwork,  cracks  in  walls  and  floprs,  loosened  paper,  must 
all  be  watched. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  199 

The  presence  of  this  insect  is  not  necessarily  an  indication  of 
neglect  or  carelessness.  It  is  very  apt  to  be  introduced  into  homes 
through  trunks  and  satchels  of  travelers.  It  migrates  from  one 
house  to  another,  especially  from  an  infested  house  that  has  been 
left  by  its  human  inhabitants. 

In  common  with  other  insects  which  attack  human  beings, 

it  is  entirely  possible  for  these  pests  to  be  transmitters  of  contagious 
diseases.  A  period  of  about  eleven  weeks  has  been  supposed  to  be 
necessary  for  the  complete  maturity  of  this  insect,  or  seven  weeks 
as  the  period  from  egg  to  adult  insect.  Without  food  they  may  re- 
main unchanged  for  an  indefinite  time.  Each  bedbug  must  puncture 
its  host  five  times  before  becoming  mature,  and  at  least  once  after- 
wards before  it  again  develops  eggs. 

Insect  powders  are  of  practically  no  avail  against  it.  Their 
extermination  becomes  a  matter  of  considerable  diflficulty  where 
wooden  bedsteads  are  used.  Liberal  applications  of  kerosene,  ben- 
zine, or  the  other  petroleum  oils  are  of  value  to  kill  them  in  the 
crevices  and  cracks. 

Oil  of  turpentine,  corrosive  sublimate,  the  liberal  use  of  hot 
water  are  effectual  methods  of  destroying  active  bugs  and  their  eggs. 
The  use  of  these  should  be  combined  with  daily  inspection  of  beds 
and  bedding,  and  of  all  locations  and  crevices  where  the  vermin  has 
concealed  itself. 

In  rooms  containing  books,  and  where  liquid  applications  are 
not  possible,  fumigation  with  sulphur,  formaldehyde,  hydrocyanic 
acid  gas,  and  many  household  remedies,  which  will  be  found  in  this 
section  of  this  volume,  are  to  be  used. 

How  to  change  sheets  without  moving  a  patient,  or  causing 
any  exposure  or  inconvenience:  Everything  must  be  in  readiness 
before  beginning  the  work,  which  must  proceed  rapidly  and  skilfully. 
The  sheets  must  be  folded  lengthwise  and  fan-fashion — that  is,  back 
and  forth  instead  of  over  and  over.  The  lower  sheet  must  be  re- 
moved and  the  clean  one  substituted  at  the  same  time.  Loosen 
the  sheet  and  push  towards  the  patient;  place  the  clean  one  in  po- 
sition, and  as  the  first  sheet  is  pushed  along  move  the  fresh  one  into 
its  place.  Push  as  much  as  possible  under  the  patient.  Go  to  the 
other  side  and  pull  through  into  place.  Remove  and  stretch  the 
fresh  one  into  place,  tucking  in  carefully. 

It  is  easier  to  replace  the  upper  sheet  by  folding  it  across  the 
sheet  rather  than  lengthwise.  Begin  to  push  down  at  the  head  and 
work  gradually  to  the  foot.  All  this  is  to  be  done  without  removing 
the  other  covers. 


200  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


THE  BATHROOM 

The  bathroom  must  shine  with  cleanliness;  walls  and  floors 
should  be  washable  and  smooth.  Tile  or  glass  is  best,  but  the  walls 
may  be  of  varnished  plaster,  painted  in  oil,  and  preferably  white. 

The  rug  must  be  laundered  frequently  and  hung  up  when  not 
in  use. 

An  extra  rack  for  hot-water  bottles  and  the  like  is  desirable. 

The  greasy  coating  that  often  forms  on  the  tub  may  be  removed 
by  a  good  cleanser  that  is  not  harsh. 

An  ordinary  pasteboard  mailing  tube,  covered  with  white  oil- 
cloth and  with  a  cord  attached  at  each  end,  is  a  convenient  hanger 
to  use  in  the  bathroom  for  wash-cloths. 

Buy  Turkish  toweling  by  the  yard  and  make  up  your  own 
towels.  They  do  not  look  quite  as  well  as  the  ordinary  bath  towels, 
but  they  answer  the  purpose  at  about  half  the  cost. 

Obstructions  in  the  pipes  may  often  be  removed  by  a  long 
stout  wire,  and  a  plumber's  bill  saved.  A  wrench  for  removing  the 
trap  is  good  economy. 

Should  the  bathroom  be  troubled  with  roaches,  a  good  ex- 
terminator can  be  made  of  three  parts  fluoride  of  sodiimi  to  one  part 
powdered  sugar.  Blend  thoroughly  and  scatter  into  or  near  cracks. 
This  is  not  fatal  to  persons,  but  is  disagreeable. 

A  Neat  Sponge  Bag. — Cut  off  at  the  top  an  old  hot-water  bottle 
that  has  been  discarded  to  desired  length,  and  trim  off  ring  at  the 
bottom.  Enclose  this  rubber  bag  in  a  sack  made  of  dainty  material, 
making  a  heading  with  draw-strings;  secure  to  the  rubber  bag  with 
a  few  stitches  around  upper  edge  to  prevent  slipping,  and  you  have 
a  useful  and  inexpensive  receptacle  for  sponge  or  wash-cloth  for 
traveling. 

Empty  bottles  and  odds  and  ends  have  no  place  in  the  bathroom. 
If  one  must  use  poisons,  have  them  labeled  plainly  and  colored  blue 
or  red,  if  liquid,  so  that  no  mistake  will  be  made  on  account  of  color. 
On  the  bottle,  or  on  the  door,  should  be  written  the  antidote  for  each 
poison,  with  directions  for  use.  If  possible,  the  antidote  should  be 
on  the  shelf,  plainly  labeled. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  201 

The  toilet  bowl  needs  disinfecting  often.  A  good  fluid  made 
at  home  has  six  ounces  of  chloride  of  lime  dissolved  in  one  gallon  of 
water.    Cork  tightly  and  keep  dark. 

Sponges  are  great  germ  collectors.  They  should  be  scalded 
out  thoroughly  every  little  while. 

To  clean  and  whiten  old  and  discolored  sponges,  first  well 
wash  them  in  soap  and  water,  then  well  rinse  them  so  as  to  be  quite 
free  from  soap;  then  soak  them  in  a  solution  of  permanganate  of 
potash  for  three  minutes;  then  well  wash  in  cold  water  and  put  them 
into  some  strong  oxalic  acid,  when  the  sponge  will  become  a  beau- 
tiful bright  yellow. 


KITCHEN  HELPS  AND  CONVENIENCES 

Make  a  bag  to  hang  your  rolling-pin  up  in. 

Poorly  ventilated  kitchens  make  poor  cooks  by  destroying  the 
sense  of  taste  and  smell. 

A  low  rocking  chair,  in  which  to  sit  while  preparing  vegetables, 
adds  greatly  to  the  general  comfort. 

A  bench  covered  with  a  comforter  folded  to  fit  it,  and  a  very  large 
pillow,  make  a  comfortable  emergency  lounge  for  the  kitchen. 

Lemon  juice  and  salt  will  remove  iron  rust;  it  will  also  take 
out  stains  of  any  kind. 

Nothing  saves  more  work  in  the  kitchen  than  a  liberal  use  of 
rugs.  When  the  work  is  finished  they  may  be  picked  up  and  carried 
out,  leaving  the  floor  spic  and  span. 

Before  using,  rain-water  should  be  filtered  through  a  com- 
mon filter  of  alternate  layers  of  white  sand,  chalk,  and  animal 
charcoal. 

Galvanized-iron  pails  are  not  desirable  receptacles  for  drinking 
water.  The  zinc  coating  is  apt  to  be  affected  by  the  water  and  an 
oxide  of  zinc  formed. 


202  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Many  householders  are  indisposed  to  burn  organic  refuse 

because  of  the  offensiveness  of  the  process.  This  can  be  entirely 
overcome  if  the  simple  plan  of  first  drying  such  matters  in  the  ash- 
pit beneath  the  fire  be  adopted. 

To  clean  your  spice-mill,  you  will  find  that  by  grinding  a  hand- 
ful of  raw  rice  through  it,  this  can  be  accomplished.  The  particles 
of  spice  and  pepper  or  of  coffee  will  not  adhere  to  it  after  the  rice 
is  ground  through  it. 

For  Marking  Window  Screens. — Little  brass  tacks  with  numbers 
on  them  can  be  bought  very  cheap  at  any  hardware  store.  If  a  tack 
is  put  on  each  window,  and  one  with  the  corresponding  number  on 
each  screen,  there  will  be  no  trouble  about  getting  the  screens  fitted 
to  the  right  windows. 

To  Keep  Screens  from  Rusting. — Before  putting  screens  away 
for  the  winter,  give  them  a  coat  of  kerosene.  This  will  keep  them 
from  rusting.  If  they  are  treated  in  the  same  manner  before  being 
put  up  for  the  summer,  you  will  have  no  trouble  with  mosquitoes, 
as  this  keeps  away  the  young  insects  which  are  able  to  crawl  in 
between  the  open  spaces  in  the  screens. 

Wire-Screen  Griddles. — Buy  a  piece  of  ordinary  wire  screening 
and  have  it  cut  up  into  squares  to  serve  as  griddles  on  the  gas  stove 
when  using  saucepans  too  small  to  rest  on  the  racks  over  the  burners. 
You  do  not  have  to  wait  for  them  to  heat  through  and  they  are 
very  light  to  handle.  Brass  wire  netting  is  more  durable  than 
ordinary  screen,  if  obtainable. 

Almost  every  housekeeper  knows  how  to  clean  boards,  but 

too  much  care  cannot  be  given  to  those  from  which  you  have  just 
taken  up  your  carpets.  Soda  and  warm  water  is  an  excellent  wash 
for  boards  which  are  seen,  rubbed  over  well  with  clean  cloths;  and  a 
mixture  of  two  parts  sand,  one  and  a  half  lime,  and  the  same  of 
soft  soap,  will  not  only  be  found  a  good  recipe  for  scouring  boards, 
but  very  effective  in  keeping  away  insects. 

Since  there  is  danger  of  soap  taking  paint  off  woodwork, 

it  is  best  to  wash  it  with  clear  water  unless  it  has  become  too  much 
soiled  for  that;  then  whiting  should  be  used;  get  the  best  quality. 
Dip  a  flannel  cloth  in  warm  water  and  squeeze  until  almost  dry, 
then  dip  into  the  whiting  and  apply  to  the  painted  surface.  Wash 
clean  with  water  and  wipe  dry  with  a  piece  of  chamois  leather;  the 
paint  thus  treated  will  look  like  new  and  will  not  be  harmed  in 
the  least. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  203 

If  grease  is  spilled  or  a  blackened  utensil  is  set  upon  it,  a  slight 
application  of  soap  and  water  removes  all  traces. 

If  the  draining  board  has  a  zinc  covering  with  an  escape  for  the 
water  into  the  sink,  the  dish-racks  may  be  set  directly  upon  it  and 
the  hot  water  poured  over,  which  not  only  hastens  the  wiping  but 
improves  the  lustre  of  the  dishes. 

A  piece  of  zinc  placed  in  front  of  the  stove  is  easily  cleaned  and 
saves  scrubbing  the  floor;  this  is  especially  desirable  when  having 
an  oiled  floor,  as  the  tiny  particles  of  fat  from  cooking  make  ugly 
stains  hard  to  remove. 

Zinc  makes  an  excellent  covering  for  kitchen  tables  and  shelves, 
and  though  the  first  cost  is  somewhat  expensive  its  durability  makes 
it  very  desirable.  In  covering  a  table,  turn  the  zinc  over  the  edges 
and  tack  on  the  under  side,  making  a  neat  finish. 

Zinc-covered  tables  are  easy  to  keep  clean.  Nothing  is  better 
for  the  purpose  than  powdered  bathbrick  used  with  soap.  To  polish, 
give  a  rub  with  dry  whiting,  and  finish  off  with  a  chamois  leather. 

An  excellent  arrangement  where  the  dining  room  and  kitchen 
adjoin  is  to  have  an  opening  in  the  wall  between  the  two,  with  a 
broad  shelf  where  the  dishes  may  be  passed  through.  A  sliding  door 
may  be  used  to  close  the  opening  when  not  in  service. 

Shelves  in  the  kitchen  should  have  no  paper  on,  but  be  painted. 
Five  or  six  inches  is  wide  enough  for  shelves  in  that  room.  The 
highest  should  be  just  a  comfortable  reach,  and  the  lowest  the 
height  of  the  knees. 

An  easy  and  effective  mode  of  ventilation  can  be  arranged 
with  a  piece  of  wood  cut  a  little  smaller  than  the  width  of  the  win- 
dow frame  and  about  six  inches  high.  Insert  this  at  the  bottom  of 
the  frame  and  shut  the  window  bottom  down  on  the  wood.  A  steady 
ventilating  process  will  go  on  from  the  center  of  the  windows. 

Uses  of  a  Meat  Grinder. — The  young  housewife  usually  limits 
the  usefulness  of  her  grinder  to  the  making  of  hashes,  croquettes  and 
other  meat  dishes.  Crackers  or  stale  bread  may  be  crumbed  in  it  for 
frying  oysters,  fish,  etc.  In  fact,  if  anything  is  to  be  well  chopped 
or  made  into  a  dry  powder,  this  handy  machine  will  do  the  work 
uniformly  and  with  dispatch. 


204  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  Quick  Filter. — Take  a  clear  piece  of  chamois  skin,  free  from 
thin  places;  cut  it  of  the  desired  size;  wash  it  in  a  weak  solution  of 
sal  soda,  or  any  alkali,  to  remove  the  grease,  and  rinse  thoroughly  in 
cold  water,  before  using.  A  pint  of  the  thickest  syrup  will  run 
through  in  four  or  five  minutes.  By  washing  thoroughly  after  each 
time  of  using  it  will  last  a  long  time. 

For  Drying  Bottles  and  Lamp  Chimneys. — ^Take  the  handle 
of  an  old  broom,  and  cut  it  into  twelve-inch  lengths.  Fasten  these 
sticks  in  upright  position  to  a  board  one  inch  thick,  placing  them 
seven  inches  apart.  After  rinsing  the  bottles,  vases,  etc.,  turn  them 
upside  down  over  these  sticks  to  dry.  If  a  handle  is  placed  at  each 
end  of  the  board,  it  wiU  be  an  easy  matter  to  move  it  about  from 
place  to  place. 

Use  newspapers  freely  in  the  kitchen,  spreading  tmder  pans; 
when  washing  dishes,  or  on  a  table  when  peeling  fruit  or  vegetables 
also  spread  them  around  table,  sink,  and  stove  when  cooking. 
Crumple  them  up  to  wipe  ofif  greasy  dishes  and  clean  the  bottoms  of 
smoky  pans.  Polish  tinware,  windows  and  stoves  with  them.  Make 
a  thick  pad  of  several  of  them  to  stand  on  when  ironing;  you  will 
truly  find  them  a  rest  for  weary  "soles."  Dampen  them  and  tear 
into  bits  to  sprinkle  over  a  dusty  carpet;  they  brighten  it  wonderfully. 

Simple  Tests  for  Water. — (1)  For  hard  or  soft  water,  dissolve  a 
small  quantity  of  good  soap  in  alcohol,  and  let  a  few  drops  of  the 
solution  fall  into  a  glass  of  water.  If  the  latter  turns  milky,  it  is 
hard;  if  not,  it  is  soft.  (2)  For  earthy  matters  or  alkali:  Take  some 
litmus-paper  dipped  in  vinegar,  and  if  on  immersion  in  the  water 
the  paper  returns  to  its  true  shade,  the  water  does  not  contain 
alkali  or  earthy  matters.  A  few  drops  of  syrup  added  to  water  con- 
taining earthy  matter  will  turn  it  green.  (3)  For  carbonic  acid:  Take 
equal  parts  of  the  water  and  clear  lime  water,  mix  them,  and  if 
carbonic  acid  is  present,  there  wiU  be  a  precipitate,  which  wiU  effer- 
vesce if  a  few  drops  of  muriatic  acid  be  added  to  it.  (4)  For  mag- 
nesia: Boil  the  water  to  one-twentieth  part  of  its  weight,  then  drop 
a  few  grains  of  neutral  carbonate  of  ammonia  into  a  glass  of  it,  with 
a  few  grains  of  phosphate  of  soda.  If .  magnesia  be  present  it  will 
fall  to  the  bottom.  (5)  For  iron:  Boil  a  little  nut-gall  and  add  it  to 
the  water,  which  will  turn  gray  or  slate-black  if  iron  is  present. 
A  little  prussiate  of  potash  will  also  turn  the  iron  blue.  (6)  For  lime: 
Into  a  glass  of  the  water  put  two  drops  of  oxalic  acid,  and  blow 
upon  it.  If  it  gets  milky,  lime  is  present.  _  (7)  For  acid:  If  litmus- 
paper  turns  red  in  the  water,  it  contains  acid ;  the  lime  test  will  show 
whether  it  is  carbonic  acid.  If  it  turns  a  blue  sugar-paper  red,  it  is 
a  mineral  acid. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  205 

Polish  mirrors  with  a  flannel,  dampened  in  camphor. 

Woodenware,  when  not  in  use,  should  be  turned  bottom  side  up. 

No  kitchen  should  be  without  scales  to  test  the  integrity  of 
things  purchased  by  weight,  and  to  measure  the  quantities  of  various 
recipes. 

When  a  window  is  difficult  to  raise,  pour  a  little  melted  lard 
between  the  frame  and  casing  and  put  a  little,  also,  on  the  cord. 

If  you  put  soda  in  the  water  with  which  you  are  to  wash 
windows,  you  will  find  that  finger-marks,  putty  stains,  etc.,  will  be 
much  more  easily  removed  than  if  clear  water  alone  is  used. 

Hard  putty  may  be  easily  softened  by  passing  a  red-hot  flat 
piece  of  iron  over  it,  so  that  it  can  then  be  removed  with  the  fingers 
or  the  edge  of  a  knife  without  any  difficulty. 

If  the  kitchen  is  dark  and  another  window  impossible,  paper 
with  light  paper.  You  will  be  surprised  to  see  how  much  more 
cheerful  it  will  seem. 

For  the  kitchen  windows,  or  where  it  is  desired  to  shut  off  a 
view  and  still  let  in  light,  use  two  sash  curtains  one  above  the  other. 
These  are  very  convenient,  for  the  upper  section  will  light  the  room 
and  the  lower  can  well  protect  the  eyes  from  the  sun  while  reading. 

Rubbing  a  windowpane  with  fine  sand  and  water  will  make  it 
obscure,  yet  diaphanous.  Another  method  is  to  cleanse  the  glass 
thoroughly,  then  moisten  it  with  hydrofluoric  acid.  When  the  acid 
has  eaten  the  glass  enough,  wash  it  off  with  plenty  of  clean  water. 

Those  who  wish  clean  shiny  windows,  try  this  method  of 
cleaning  them.  Take  a  sheet  of  newspaper  and  sprinkle  well  with 
water  until  quite  damp.  Crush  this  and  use  it  instead  of  a  sponge 
or  rag,  using  a  clean  dry  sheet  for  drj-ing.  This  leaves  no  lint  if 
rubbed  until  perfectly  dry. 

To  clean  window,  picture  and  looking  glasses  there  is  nothing 
so  good  as  methylated  spirits.  A  rag  dipped  in  the  spirit  should  be 
rubbed  over  the  glass,  wliich  should  afterward  be  polished  with 
chamois.  This  plan  is  especially  good  in  frosty  weather,  and  water 
cannot  be  used.  The  methylated  spirit  dries  quickly  and  gives  a 
bright  polish  to  the  glass. 


206  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  you  grease  the  inner  rim  of  a  kettle  its  contents  will  never 
boil  over. 

Use  insect  powder  or  borax  freely  in  the  kitchen  pantry,  on 
the  shelves  and  in  drawers.  If  powdered  borax  is  put  over  the 
shelves,  under  the  papers,  it  will  help  to  keep  away  insects. 

Do  not  use  soap  in  cleaning  marble  mantels,  tables,  etc.,  but 
wash  them  with  ammonia  and  clean  water — enough  ammonia  to 
make  the  water  feel  smooth. 

Little,  just  perceptible  cracks  ir<  earthenware  will  disappear 
and  the  dish  look  as  good  as  new,  if  it  is  boiled  in  milk.  This  has 
been  tried  on  a  small  majolica  pitcher  with  success. 

For  a  damp  closet  or  cupboard,  which  is  liable  to  cause  mildew, 
place  in  it  a  saucerful  of  quicklime,  and  it  will  not  only  absorb  all 
dampness  but  sweeten  and  disinfect  the  space. 

Corks  may  be  made  air  and  water  tight  by  keeping  them  for 
five  minutes  under  melted  paraffin;  they  must  be  kept  down  with 
a  wire  screen. 

A  great  convenience  in  a  kitchen  is  a  flap  table,  which,  when 
not  in  use  can  be  dropped  down  against  the  wall ;  another  convenience 
is  a  stand  with  casters  that  can  be  moved  from  one  part  of  the  kitchen 
to  the  other. 

When  unfortunate  enough  to  spill  hot  grease  upon  the  top 
of  a  clean,  white  kitchen  table,  quickly  pour  cold  water  upon  it  and 
that  will  cool  it  at  once.  This  prevents  the  wood  from  absorbing 
the  grease. 

In  the  pot  closet  vigilance  is  necessary  against  insects,  as  too 
often  all  the  grease  is  not  scalded  out  of  skillets.  Every  housekeeper 
should  take  a  look  at  this  part  of  the  closet  once  a  week.  Forbid 
piling  of  the  pans  in  indiscriminate  heaps.    Hang  as  many  as  possible. 

Never  allow  preserves,  desserts  or  sauces  to  stand  uncovered  in 
the  closet;  and  see  that  the  outside  of  the  molasses  jug  is  carefully 
washed  off  after  each  using.  Nothing  more  quickly  breeds  trouble 
in  a  closet  than  carelessness  about  such  things. 

When  a  can  of  syrup,  or  any  jar  with  a  screw  top  from  which 
you  will  use  at  intervals,  has  been  opened,  rub  a  little  lard  around 
the  threads  of  the  screw.  It  will  open  easily  and  no  harm  will  be 
done  to  the  contents. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  207 

In  cold  weather  when  one  is  in  haste  to  remove  thick  liquids, 
such  as  syrups,  molasses,  etc.,  from  jugs,  the  flow  can  be  increased 
by  inserting  a  bent  metal,  rubber  or  glass  tube  into  the  mouth  of  the 
receptacle. 

Sugar  must  be  kept  tightly  covered,  both  for  its  own  sake 
and  to  keep  the  cupboard  clean.  Many  housekeepers  think  it  is 
much  less  liable  to  get  ants  in  it  if  it  be  kept  in  japanned  or  por- 
celain-lined boxes,  rather  than  in  wood.  As  the  wooden  boxes  rarely 
have  lids  that  hinge  they  are  much  more  often  left  open. 

Often  a  defective  cover  will  be  found  among  the  fruit  jars 

and  cannot  be  screwed  down  to  make  the  jar  tight.  Put  a  little 
putty  around  between  the  cover  and  rubber,  and  when  the  top  is 
screwed  down  as  tightly  as  possible,  press  the  putty  in  around  the 
crevice;  when  the  putty  becomes  hard  the  jar  wiU  be  found  airtight. 

To  sweeten  jars  and  cans  which  have  contained  tobacco,  onions, 
or  anything  else  of  strong  odor,  wash  the  article  clean,  then  fill  it 
with  fresh  garden  earth,  cover  it  and  let  it  stand  for  twenty-four 
hours.  Then  wash  it  and  dry  it,  and  it  wlU  be  quite  sweet  and  fit 
for  use. 

Improvised  Cakemixer. — By  putting  the  ingredients  into  a 
two-quart  ice  cream  freezer  you  can  beat  them  quickly  and  easily, 
the  result  being  cakes  of  very  fine  grain.  The  eggs  should  be  whipped 
before  being  added,  for  the  best  results,  and  the  other  ingredients 
put  together  in  the  usual  order. 

Uses  for  Old  Hot-Water  Bags. — They  make  good  linings  for 
sponge  cases,  or  for  bags  in  which  to  carry  bath  or  tooth  brushes 
when  traveling.  Round  mats  may  be  cut  from  the  sides  of  the  bag, 
and  placed  under  house  plants  to  prevent  the  moisture  from  the 
earthenware  saucers  from  injuring  polished  surfaces. 

All  sediment-cocks  in  kitchen  boilers  should  be  left  open  at 
least  once  a  week  for  the  space  of  fifteen  minutes,  so  as  to  clean 
and  wash  out  all  foul  sediment.  Often,  when  complaint  is  made 
that  the  water  smells,  or  that  it  does  not  heat  properly,  the  real 
cause  will  be  found  to  arise  from  this  neglect. 

For  cleaning  smoke  and  dirt  from  walls  and  woodwork,  espe- 
cially yellow  pine,  vinegar  works  like  magic.  Put  about  a  pint  in 
a  basin,  wet  a  flannel  cloth  in  this  and  wipe  the  thing  to  be  cleaned. 
When  the  cloth  becomes  soiled,  wash  it  out  in  clear  water  before 
wetting  again  in  the  vinegar.  In  this  way  no  vinegar  is  wasted  and 
there  is  no  wetting  of  the  clothing. 


208  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Instead  of  spending  hours  of  labor  cleaning  a  greasy  sink, 
especially  one  of  glazed  ware,  a  little  paraffine  oil  upon  a  piece  of 
flannel  will  remove  all  grease.  Afterwards  wash  with  hot  water 
and  soap ;  flush  with  cold  water.   Tiiis  cleanses  pipes  at  the  same  time. 

A  medium-sized  paper  pad,  with  a  lead  pencil  attached,  hung 
over  a  kitchen  table  will  be  found  of  great  convenience.  If  articles 
needed  are  written  down  upon  this  pad  they  will  not  be  overlooked. 
When  the  housewife  starts  for  market  the  outside  slip  can  be  pulled 
off  and  taken  with  her  instead  of  her  trusting  to  her  memory,  with 
the  danger  of  forgetting  some  simple  but  most  important  article. 

A  False  Kettle-Bottom. — Take  a  pail-cover  or  shallow  tin  of  a 
suitable  size  to  fit  the  kettle,  and,  with  a  hammer  and  nail,  punch 
it  full  of  holes,  with  the  roughness  on  the  inside  so  that  the  water 
may  have  free  play  through  it.  When  about  to  boil  a  piece  of  meat, 
insert  this  false  bottom  first,  and  there  will  be  no  danger  of  the  meat 
sticking  to  the  bottom  or  being  tainted  if  it  should  happen  to  boil  dry. 

Treatment  for  Warped,  Drafty  Floors. — Lay  one  or  more 
thickness  of  builders'  paper  or  newspapers.  Buy  two-yard-wide  oil- 
cloth of  cheap  quality.  Lay  on  the  floor  upside  down.  Let  lie  a 
day  before  tacking  so  that  it  will  stretch.  Fit  plain  moulding  about  the 
baseboards.  Where  the  seams  of  the  oilcloth  meet,  finish  with  a  brass 
tape  which  sells  at  five  cents  for  two  yards.  Then  give  two  coats 
of  paint  and  varnish.  The  pebbled  effect  of  the  wrong  side  is  ef- 
fective. The  floor  will  be  free  from  drafts  and  may  be  used  bare  or 
with  rugs  of  any  size. 

Do  you  know  that  a  handful  of  screw-eyes,  assorted  sizes, 
are  worth  their  weight  in  silver  for  kitchen  use?  Try  screwing  one 
into  the  end  of  your  bread-board  and  your  ironing-board,  your 
brushes,  brooms  and  clothes-stick.  Put  one  at  each  end  of  your 
kitchen  wall;  on  ironing  day  stretch  a  stout  cord  between  and  see 
what  a  convenient  place  you  have  to  air  your  clothes.  _  When  the 
wooden  handle  comes  out  of  your  favorite  saucepan  lid,  do  you 
know  that  a  screw-eye  screwed  into  a  cork  on  the  inside  makes  an 
admirable  substitute? 

The  little  five-cent  scrubbing  brushes  are  most  helpful 
things  in  a  kitchen.  One  kept  on  the  washstand  is  just  the  thing  for 
cleaning  the  wash  dish,  the  soap  dish,  and,  if  a  soft  one,  even  the 
fingers  after  blacking  the  stove,  or  other  rough  work.  Another  may 
be  kept  for  scrubbing  out  the  reservoir,  and  for  use  about  the  dish- 
washing. And  one  should  be  used  for  cleaning  graters,  for  which 
there  is  nothing  better,  it  being  lintless  and  having  no  fibres  to  catch 
on  the  roughness  of  the  grater. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  209 

To  cleanse  glass  or  porcelain  vessels  from  organic  dirt,  use  a 
mixture  of  sulphuric  acid  and  bichromate  of  potash. 

To  make  pressed  glassware  shine,  peel  a  potato,  cut  it  in  two, 
and  rub  the  dishes  with  it.  It  goes  into  every  crevice  and  gives  a 
beautiful  lustre.    Wash  and  dry  in  the  usual  way. 

Some  like  finely  cut  potato  peelings  to  clean  the  vinegar  cruet, 
using  them  in  the  same  way  you  use  the  shot.  They  are  very  good 
for  this  purpose,  but  do  not  do  the  work  as  quickly  as  the  shot. 

To  wash  cut  glass  and  have  it  clear  and  shining  you  should  have 
a  soft  brush,  and  dry  it  lastly,  after  using  a  linen  towel,  with  tissue 
paper. 

Do  not  wash  glass  in  very  hot  water  and  then  set  it  in  a  current 
of  cold  air,  unless  you  want  it  to  crack.  This  is  true  especially  of 
thick  glass;  the  thin  glasses  will  stand  hot  water  better. 

To  wash  fine  glass  it  is  best  to  wash  it  in  warm  soapsuds  and  then 
nnse  it  in  very  hot  water,  wiping  it  at  once  on  a  fine  towel  and  setting 
it  in  a  sheltered  place. 

Cut  glass  will  not  look  clear  unless  thoroughly  washed  in  plenty 
of  water;  but  it  does  not  require  soap.  If  it  is  in  any  way  blurred 
or  tarnished,  it  must  be  cleaned  with  a  soft  brush  dipped  in  whiting, 
and  then  polished. 

To  Open  Any  Bottle. — Make  a  small  pad  from  a  bath-towel, 
and  place  against  a  door-jamb  or  solid  wall.  Holding  the  bottle  by 
the  neck,  drive  it  hard  against  this  solid  pad.  Three  or  four  such 
strokes  should  losen  any  cork.  Care  should  be  taken,  by  watching 
the  cork  as  it  loosens,  not  to  drive  it  entirely  out  and  thus  lose  a 
portion  of  the  contents  of  the  bottle. 

Rinsing  Bottles. — Bottles,  after  being  some  time  in  use,  are  apt 
to  acquire  a  crust  or  coating  very  difficult  to  remove  by  ordinary 
rinsing.  Use  the  following  methods  for  removing  such  impurities: 
1.  Soak  them  in  permanganate  of  potash.  2.  Rinse  the  bottles 
out  with  a  solution  of  equal  parts  of  muriatic  acid  and  water. 
3.  Chloride  of  lime  and  water  in  the  proportion  of  one  ounce  of  the 
lime  to  two  pints  of  water,  and  allow  the  bottles  to  lie  in  the  solu- 
tion for  three  or  four  days.  4.  Strong  sulphuric  acid  may  be  put 
into  the  bottles,  which  may  then  be  corked  and  allowed  to  stand 
for  a  day  or  two.  This  should  remove  the  strongest  crust.  Either 
of  these  four  methods  requires  great  care.  The  chemi<:al  should  in 
all  cases  be  carefuUy  rinsed  out  with  clean  water,  and  it  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  all  acids  are  extremely  injurious  to  clothes,  etc. 


210  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

How  to  Loosen  Glass  Stoppers. — 1.  Hold  the  bottle,  or  decanter, 
firmly  in  the  hand,  or  between  the  knees,  and  gently  tap  the  stopper 
on  alternate  sides,  using  for  the  purpose  a  small  piece  of  wood,  and 
directing  the  strokes  upward. 

2.  Plunge  the  neck  of  the  vessel  in  hot  water,  taking  care  that 
the  water  is  not  hot  enough  to  split  the  glass.  If  the  stopper  is 
still  fixed,  use  the  first  method. 

3.  Pass  a  piece  of  lint  around  the  neck  of  the  bottle,  which  must 
be  held  fast  while  two  persons  draw  the  lint  backwards  and  forwards. 

4.  Warm  the  neck  of  the  vessel  before  the  fire,  and  when  it  is 
nearly  hot  the  stopper  can  be  removed. 

5.  Put  a  few  drops  of  oU  around  the  stopper  where  it  enters  the 
glass  vessel,  which  may  then  be  warmed  before  the  fire.  Then  apply 
process  No.  1.  If  the  stopper  still  continues  immovable,  repeat  the 
above  process  until  it  gives  way,  which  it  is  almost  sure  to  do  in 
the  end. 

6.  Take  a  steel  pin  or  needle,  and  run  it  round  the  top  of  the 
stopper  in  the  angle  formed  by  it  and  the  bottle.  Then  hold  the 
vessel  in  your  left  hand  and  give  it  a  steady  twist  toward  you  with 
the  right,  and  it  will  very  soon  be  effectual.  If  this  d  oes  not  succeed 
try  process  No.  5,  which  will  be  facilitated  by  it. 

A  bottle  of  turpentine  should  be  kept  in  every  house,  for  its 
uses  are  numerous.  A  few  drops  sprinkled  where  cockroaches  con- 
gregate will  exterminate  them  at  once ;  also  ants,  red  or  black.  Moths 
will  flee  from  the  odor  of  it.  Besides,  it  is  an  excellent  application 
for  a  burn  or  cut.  It  will  take  ink  stains  out  of  white  muslin,  when 
added  to  soap,  and  will  help  whiten  clothes  if  added  to  them  while 
boiling. 

Enameled  iron  sinks  and  bath  tubs  are  the  trial  of  new  house- 
keepers who  do  not  understand  how  they  are  to  be  made  to  retain 
their  pristine  freshness.  Vigorous  scrubbing  is  not  desirable,  as  it 
will  in  time  wear  and  mar  the  surface.  A  simple  way  of  cleaning  is 
to  wipe  the  tub  perfectly  dry  with  a  cloth,  then  rub  it  thoroughly 
with  a  cloth  dipped  in  salt  and  turpentine.  Rinse  with  clear  water 
and  dry  with  a  fresh  cloth.  The  surface  will  look  like  new.  Kerosene 
on  a  cloth  does  the  work  quickly  and  effectively,  too. 

Keep  on  hand  a  stock  of  asbestos  mats ;  they  only  cost  a  trifle 
and  are  almost  indestructible,  when  put  under  pots  and  pans  they 
will  prevent  food  from  burning;  they  are  also  excellent  to  put  over 
things  in  the  oven  when  there  is  danger  of  burning  them.  Keep  on 
hand  also  a  number  of  small  brushes  with  handles;  they  will  help  to 
save  the  hands  as  they  can  be  used  in  washing  dishes,  pots  and  the 
sink  and  such  like.  Another  convenience  is  a  wooden  spoon  with 
long  perforations  to  cream  butter  with. 


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HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


Easily  Made  Plate  Supports  can  be  made  with  scrap  wire  and  a  pair  of  small 
pliers.  Two  pieces  of  wire,  such  as  a  bale  of  hay  is  fastened  with,  are  twisted 
about  each  other  two  or  three  times  (see  a)  and  the  four  ends  bent  to  catch  the 
edges  of  the  plate.  A  second  piece  of  wire  is  bent  to  an  eye  to  permit  sus- 
pension, then  bent  to  a  yoke  around  the  twisted  supports,  the  ends  are  brought 
together  and  twisted  and  the  place  is  ready  to  suspend  from  the  wall.  To  make 
a  rest  to  permit  the  plate  to  stand  at  an  angle,  make  an  A-shaped  support,  fasten 
the  top  of  it  to  the  twisted  part  of  the  wires  with  claws  and  cut  two  short  pieces 
of  wire  long  enough  to  fasten  from  the  X-shaped  arrangement  to  the  A  support. 
The  angle  at  which  the  plate  is  stood  up  is  regulated  by  shifting  the  short  pieces 
of  wire  up  or  down  the  lower  part  of  the  X-shaped  support. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  211 

HOW  TO  WASH  DISHES 

Sanitary  dish  washing  is  as  important  as  sanitary  cooking. 

Salt  and  vinegar  used  hot  will  brighten  copper  and  brass  kettles. 

To  remove  lime  from  an  iron  pot,  wash  in  strong  vinegar. 

Vinegar  will  remove  the  disagreeable  odor  of  kerosene  from 
tinware. 

Have  plenty  of  towels  and  keep  them  aU  clean.  There  is  no 
need  of  a  coarse  kitchen  towel. 

Remove  brown  stains  on  baking  dishes  by  dipping  a  damp 
flannel  in  whiting  and  rub  well  with  it. 

Badly  burned  enamel  ware  utensils  will  usually  become  quite 
clean  if  boiled  in  soda  water  a  few  minutes. 

Instead  of  using  a  knife  to  scrape  a  kettle  in  which  something 
has  burned,  try  a  fine  grater,  and  see  what  an  improvement  it  is. 

Always  allow  mush  kettles  to  stand  over  night  filled  to  the 
top  with  water. 

If  every  pot  and  pan  or  any  utensil  used  in  the  cooking  of  food 
be  washed  as  soon  as  emptied,  and  while  still  hot,  half  the  labor  and 
a  great  deal  of  time  wiU  be  saved. 

To  clean  a  burned  kettle,  turn  out  the  burned  contents,  but  do 
not  fill  with  water.  Set  it  aside  to  cool  and  then  place  in  a  handful 
of  washing  soda  and  water  and  let  the  solution  boil  for  an  hour  or 
more. 

Vinegar  and  salt  will  clean  the  black  crust  off  sheet-iron 
frying  pans;  but  they  should  be  thoroughly  scoured  afterwards  with 
sand  and  soap. 

Kerosene  will  make  tin  tea  kettles  as  bright  as  new.  Saturate 
a  woolen  rag  and  rub  with  it.  It  will  also  remove  stains  from  var- 
nished furniture. 


212  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

An  ordinary  wire  tray,  such  as  business  men  use  for  papers, 
makes  a  fine  drainer,  but  it  is  easier  and  more  economical  of  room 
to  wipe  the  dishes  just  as  they  come  out  of  the  water. 

In  washing  anything  that  has  had  raw  egg  in  it  or  milk, 
always  soak  it  in  cold  water  first,  or  rinse  it  well  in  cold  water  before 
putting  it  in  hot. 

A  good  way  to  clean  the  wire  of  a  milk  strainer,  when  the 
holes  get  filled  up,  is  to  rub  salt  into  it  thoroughly,  then  wash  with 
hot  water. 

When  you  lose  the  lid  of  your  tea-kettle,  take  the  lid  of  a 
gallon  molasses  pail  and  get  a  knob.  Screw  this  through  the  lid  and 
fasten  on  the  under  side  with  a  small  burr. 

To  cleanse  a  pan  in  which  candy  has  been  cooked,  put  water  in 
it,  place  the  lid  on  and  set  on  the  stove  to  boil.  The  steam  will 
render  it  as  easily  washed  as  a  teacup. 

Have  at  hand,  on  a  little  shelf  near  the  sink,  a  covered  glass  of 
brickdust  with  a  large  cork  in  it,  and  on  washing  steel  knives  give 
them  a  rub. 

Have  at  hand  another  glass  with  a  bit  of  flannel  and  silver  soap, 
and  rub  ofT  spots  on  the  silver  as  they  appear.  It  takes  but  little 
longer  and  saves  a  weekly  cleaning  day. 

The  silver  should  be  polished  with  a  rub  or  two  from  a  chamois 
cloth,  and  a  canton  flannel  towel  to  wipe  it  on  will  keep  it  shining. 

There  is  no  need  of  piling  dishes  in  the  pan  or  scraping 
them  with  finger-nails.  A  little  five-cent  scrubbing  brush  with  some 
scouring  soap  on  it  will  take  off  roughness  and  grease  from  frying 
pans. 

If  milk  has  been  put  in  tin,  the  first  washing  should  always  be 
in  water  that  is  hardly  more  than  warm,  or  it  will  stick  and  refuse 
to  come  off  with  persistent  scalding.  The  same  rule  should  be  fol- 
lowed with  dishes  that  have  been  used  to  mix  biscuit,  muffins  or  any 
unsweetened  dough. 

Rich  cake  dough  or  anything  that  has  plenty  of  sugar  in  it,  on 
the  contrary,  washes  off  with  hot  water  in  a  trice.  Sugar  melts  in 
boiling  water,  flour  makes  paste,  and  paste  does  not  belong  on 
dishes. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  213 

Begin  by  having  a  deep  dishpan,  not  too  large,  so  that  the 
water  will  keep  hot.  Do  not  set  this  pan  on  a  porcelain  sink,  but 
have  a  little  wooden  trivet,  or  turn  a  pan  upside  down  for  a  stand. 
This  not  only  protects  the  sink  but  makes  it  unnecessary  to  stoop 
over  the  job. 

The  teacups  must  be  laid — entirely  to  themselves — on  a  news- 
paper-covered tray,  first  dipping  them  in  very  hot  water.  They 
drain  with  a  polish  and  are  not  nicked  or  cracked  by  contact  with 
heavier  dishes. 

Some  very  particular  housekeepers,  neat  in  other  things,  are 
careless  about  their  dishcloths,  and  in  some  cases,  if  a  bacteriologist 
could  examine  them,  the  cloths  would  be  carried  out  of  the  house 
with  a  pair  of  tongs. 

They  should  be  sterilized  by  boiling  every  day  and  should  be 
changed  once  a  week.  Too  many  housewives  keep  the  same  cloth 
indefinitely,  when  there  is  plenty  of  material  in  the  house  that  could 
be  utilized  for  that  purpose. 

Mosquito  netting  doubled  or  quadrupled  makes  excellent  dish- 
cloths. It  is  thin  enough  to  go  easily  into  pitchers  and  small  cups; 
it  is  pleasant  to  handle;  it  is  scalded  and  dried  easily  and  quickly, 
and  it  is  so  cheap  there  is  no  temptation  to  keep  it  after  it  begins 
to  grow  dingy. 

Dishes  from  a  light  meal  are  far  better  washed  without  soap. 
Use  a  medium-sized  pan  for  washing,  and  begin  with  the  glasses, 
cups,  etc.,  leaving  greasy  dishes  till  the  last.  Place  right  side  up  in 
a  large  pan,  then  your  rinsing  water  will  do  some  good.  Or  better 
still,  drain  off  the  suds,  then  place  in  rinsing  pan. 

The  wiping  cloth  does  not  remove  the  suds,  for  it  is  as  a 

rule  used  until  wet,  then  hung  up  to  dry  with  the  suds  in  it. 

To  clean  kettles  to  which  anything  has  become  stuck,  pour  a 
little  water  in  them,  cover  closely  with  a  lid,  and  allow  the  steam 
to  do  the  hard  work  for  you.  In  a  little  time  you  can  easily  scrape 
off  the  sides  of  the  kettle. 

To  clean  skillets,  turn  one  over  the  other,  allowing  the  steam 
from  the  under  one  to  soften  the  one  above  it.  It  is  a  much  easier 
way  to  loosen  particles  than  to  try  to  scrape  them  while  they  are 
dry  and  hard. 


214  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

For  cleaning  tinware  there  is  nothing  better  than  dry  flour 
applied  with  a  newspaper.  First  wash  the  tin  in  hot  soapsuds,  wipe 
thoroughly  dry,  and  then  scour  with  flour  and  well-crumpled  news- 
paper. 

The  careful  use  of  cooking  utensils  is  an  economical  item. 
When  they  have  been  used,  fill  them  with  water  and  boil  a  small 
lump  of  soda  in  them;  to  clean  them  thoroughly,  boil  them  with 
soda  in  a  wash-boiler,  and  do  not  injure  them  by  scraping  or  rubbing 
with  any  metallic  article.     Soda  must  not  be  used  on  aluminum. 

The  best  way  to  have  tea-kettle  and  tea  and  coffee  boiler 
always  shining  is  to  put  a  little  soap  on  your  dishcloth  and  wipe 
when  the  tinware  is  hot.  Most  people  wait  till  everything  else  is 
done,  and  by  that  time  the  tinware  is  cold  and  so  is  the  dishwater. 

Do  not  scrape  the  inside  of  frying  pans,  as  after  this  operation 
any  preparation  fried  is  liable  to  catch  or  burn  to  the  pan.  If  the  pan 
has  black  inside,  rub  it  with  a  hard  crust  of  bread,  and  wash  in  hot 
water  mixed  with  a  little  soda. 

Cleanse  the  dishes  from  crumbs  and  grease  before  putting 
into  the  pan.  A  mop  can  be  used  for  many  of  the  articles,  and  the 
hands  need  not  be  subjected  to  a  heat  which  will  give  them  a  par- 
boiled aspect  and  may  enlarge  the  blood  vessels,  so  that  in  time  the 
skin  will  have  a  coarse  appearance.  When  the  task  is  finished,  wash 
the  hands  thoroughly  in  warm  water,  using  either  castile  soap  or 
almond  meal.    Rinse  in  cold  water  and  dry  perfectly. 

The  grease  that  is  so  diligently  scoured  off  upon  ordinary 
occasion  is  beneficial  to  unused  pots  in  keeping  them  from  rusting. 
Any  iron  utensils  that  are  kept  in  a  basement  should  be  coated  with 
grease  before  the  family  leaves  town  for  a  long  absence  in  the 
summer.  The  precaution  is  not  necessary  if  agate  ironware  is 
used. 

Cleaning  Wooden  Kitchen  Utensils. — Wooden  spoons,  meat 
pounders,  baking  boards,  etc.,  that  have  been  used,  should  not  be 
cleansed  with  hot  water,  because  this  method  of  cleansing  "sets" 
the  fat,  sauce,  juice,  etc.,  into  the  wood.  Place  them  in  a  solution 
of  lime  for  a  couple  of  hours,  or  cover  them  with  a  lime  paste,  which 
will  remove  all  the  fat  and  leave  the  article  clean  and  white.  Then 
polish  with  sand.  Lukewarm  water  with  a  little  soda  is  advised 
to  partly  remove  grease.  Do  not  allow  the  wooden  articles  to  lie  in 
dish-waters,  as  they  are  difficult  to  dry,  arid  become  tinsightly  after  a 
while« 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  215 

There  are  two  or  three  ways  of  getting  rid  of  grease.  One  is 
to  fill  the  dish,  while  waiting  to  be  washed,  with  hot  water  and  a 
little  soap  powder,  and  let  it  soak.  Another  is  to  put  a  teaspoonfiU 
of  ammonia  in  the  dishwater  when  there  is  an  unusual  number  of 
greasy  dishes.  At  any  rate,  the  place  for  grease  is  not  in  forming  a 
scum  over  the  dishwater.  When  that  happens,  pour  the  water  oflf 
and  use  a  fresh  panful. 

Dusting  in  General. — As  ordinarily  performed,  dusting  simply 
whisks  the  lint  from  one  place  to  another.  Ideas  of  dusting  are 
many  and  varied ;  some  dust  only  what  is  in  sight,  others  what  might 
be  seen,  and  a  few  dust  everywhere.  They  never  fail  to  wipe  the 
window  sashes  where  they  meet  and  lock.  They  open  all  doors  and 
clean  them  on  top  and  two  sides,  as  well  as  back  and  front.  More 
than  that,  they  dust  the  casing  where  the  door  touches  when  closed. 

Sometimes  it  is  necessary  to  polish  as  well  as  dust.  The  un- 
beaten white  of  an  egg  stirred  into  cold  water  cleans  polished  surfaces 
wen. 

Work  in  small  sections,  dry  quickly  and  rub  till  bright.  Cloths 
must  be  soft  and  clean. 

Woodwork  that  has  been  stained  only  should  be  cleaned  with 
a  cloth  slightly  oiled,  and  dusted  with  a  dry  doth. 

White  spots  made  by  water  or  heat  on  varnished  furniture  are 
removed  by  rubbing  with  spirits  of  camphor.  A  good  furniture 
renovator  should  always  be  at  hand  and  used  for  polishing. 


DAILY  CARE  OF  LAMPS 

Wicks  should  be  soaked  with  oil  before  being  lit. 

When  the  lamp  is  lit,  the  wick  should  be  at  first  turned  down, 
and  then  slowly  raised. 

A  lamp  is  far  better  for  the  eyes  of  the  student  or  worker  than 
the  glare  from  gas  or  electric  light. 

Wicks  should  be  only  just  long  enough  to  reach  the  bottom 
of  the  oil  reservoir. 

Wicks  should  be  so  wide  that  they  quite  fill  the  ^-ick  holder 
without  having  to  be  squeezed  into  it. 


216  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  a  lamp  wick  sticks  and  will  not  work  easily,  try  pulling  out 
a  thread  at  each  edge. 

Wash  smoke-stained  lamp  chimneys  in  warm  suds,  and  while 
wet  rub  with  dry  salt  or  with  vinegar. 

A  chimney  with  ground-glass  edge  at  the  top  is  less  likely  to 
break  as  the  ground-glass  edge  allows  more  room  for  expansion. 

See  that  the  lamp  wicks  are  turned  down  after  trimming, 
else  the  lamps  will  be  covered  with  oil. 

The  reservoir  should  be  quite  filled  with  oil  every  time  before 
losing  the  lamp. 

The  lamp  should  be  kept  thoroughly  clean,  all  oil  should  be 
carefully  wiped  off,  and  aU  charred  wick  and  dirt  removed  before 
lighting. 

Lamp  wicks  soaked  in  vinegar  some  twenty-four  hours  before 
being  brought  into  use  will  give  a  clearer  flame  and  a  steadier  light 
than  those  not  so  treated. 

Bad  oil  clogs  the  wick  aad  the  burner,  besides  giving  oflf  an 
unpleasant  aiid  very  dirty  vapor.  Under  the  title  of  petroleum  or 
rock  oil  are  also  included  paraJOfine  and  kerosene. 

Never  turn  down  a  lamp,  allowing  it  just  to  glimmer.    It  is 

meant  to  bum  with  the  flame  at  fuU  height,  and  when  allowed  to 
smoulder  in  this  way  it  will  either  smoke  or  smell,  possibly  both. 

To  prcTent  lamp  chimneys  from  continually  breaking,  place 
them  in  cold  salted  water,  and  let  them  come  to  a  boil,  then  cool  off 
again. 

To  clean  a  chimney,  hold  it  over  the  steam  of  boiling  water,  and 
rub  briskly  afterward  with  a  soft,  dry  cloth.  If  the  chimney  be 
blackened,  wipe  off  the  soot  with  a  piece  of  newspaper  before  stearaing. 

A  kerosene  stove,  with  two  burners,  wUl  bum  ten  hours  a  day 
for  thirty  days  at  a  cost  of  two  dollars.  If  as  soon  as  the  wicks  are 
discolored  they  are  thrown  sway  or  boiled  in  sal-soda  water  there 
is  little  odor  from  the  kerosene  stove.  Care  should  be  taken  also 
not  to  have  anything  boil  over  on  the  burners.  Each  day  they 
should  be  rubbed  down  with  soft  tissue  paper  to  keep  them  even 
and  smooth. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  217 

Lamps  Avith  metal  reservoirs  are  undoubtedly  safer  than  those 
of  glass  or  china,  as  the  former,  if  upset,  can  be  picked  up  and  re- 
placed before  the  oil  can  escape. 

The  flames  from  kerosene  cannot  be  extinguished  with 
water,  but  flour  thrown  profusely  upon  them  will  smother  them 
or  a  large  woolen  rug  or  cloth  will  help  stifle  them. 

The  wick  should  be  plaited,  not  woven,  with  a  weft  or  cross 
thread.  A  bad  wick,  if  drawn  between  the  fingers,  will  feel  hard 
and  knotty;  a  good  wick  will  feel  smooth  and  glossy,  and  if  pressed 
between  the  finger  and  thumb,  will  yield  to  the  pressure,  and  upon 
being  released  will  spring  into  shape  again. 

Lamps  which  have  no  extinguishing  apparatus  should  be 
put  out  as  follows:  The  wick  should  be  turned  down  until  there 
is  only  a  small  flickering  flame,  and  a  sharp  puff  of  breath  should 
then  be  sent  across  the  top  of  the  chimney,  but  not  down  it. 

The  cement  commonly  used  for  fastening  the  tops  on  kero- 
sene lamps  is  plaster  of  Paris,  which  is  porous  and  quickly  pene- 
trated by  the  kerosene.  Another  cement,  which  has  not  this  defect, 
is  made  with  three  parts  of  resin,  one  of  caustic  soda  and  five  of  water. 
The  composition  is  mixed  with  half  its  weight  of  plaster  of  Paris. 

Petroleum  for  use  in  lamps,  stoves,  etc.,  should  be  white  or 
light  yellow  in  color  with  a  blue  reflection;  clear  yellow  indicates 
imperfect  purification  or  adulteration  with  inferior  oil.  The  odor 
should  be  faint  and  not  disagreeable.  The  specific  gravity  at  60 
degrees  Fahrenheit  ought  not  to  be  below  0.795  nor  above  0.84. 
Wlien  mixed  with  an  equal  volume  of  sulphuric  acid,  of  the  density 
of  1.53,  the  color  should  not  become  darker,  but,  if  anything,  lighter. 
A  grade  of  oil  that  will  stand  these  tests  and  possesses  the  proper 
flashing  point  may  be  safely  used. 

A  five-foot  burner  is  a  burner  through  which  five  feet  of  gas 
will  pass,  under  what  is  called  one  inch  of  pressure.  If  the  pressure 
is  increased  to  two  inches  the  burner  will  use  about  ten  feet  of  gas. 
But  there  is  hardly  any  more  light.  The  meter,  however,  registers 
the  full  ten  feet  and  the  customer  has  to  pay  for  it. 

When  a  five-foot  burner  is  using  ten  feet  of  gas,  at  least 
forty  per  cent,  of  it  is  not  burned,  but  passes  off  into  the  atmos- 
phere in  the  form  of  carbonic  o.xide;  the  blue  spot  at  the  base  of  a 
gas  flame  shows  where  combustion  is  not  taking  place.  The  larger 
the  blue  spot  the  greater  the  waste. 


218  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

When  ten  feet  of  gas  are  forced  through  a  five-foot  burner,  there 
is  about  as  much  blue  as  there  is  yellow.  But  whether  the  gas  is 
burned  or  wasted,  the  consumer  has  to  pay  for  it  just  the  same. 


LINOLEUM  AND  OIL  CLOTH 

The  secret  of  laying  linoleum  on  the  floor  so  that  it  will  last, 
is  to  place  a  thick  lining  of  carpet,  matting  or  heavy  paper  under  it. 

If  the  kitchen  linoleum  is  given  a  coat  of  floor  varnish  it 

will  last  three  times  as  long. 

To  keep  linoleum  bright,  wash  with  equal  quantities  of  milk 
and  water.  Once  in  several  months  a  little  hnseed  oil  or  a  weak 
solution  of  beeswax  in  spirits  of  turpentine  may  be  used. 

To  Clean  New  Linoleum. — Equal  parts  of  salad  oil  and  vinegar 
is  the  best  thing  for  the  purpose.  If  dirty,  wash  the  linoleum  first 
with  soap  and  water.  Soda  rapidly  destroys  it,  but  soap  or  grease 
improves  the  wear. 

For  the  floor,  cut  the  linoleum  at  least  one  inch  larger  all  around 
than  the  floor  to  be  covered;  cover  the  floor  thickly  with  paper,  lay 
the  linoleum  and  let  it  turn  up  all  around  the  room  against  the  wall 
and  over  the  edge  tack  down  a  quarter  round  so  that  it  will  fit  closely 
to  the  floor  and  up  over  the  top  edge  of  the  linoleum.  This  will 
prevent  the  water  settling  under  the  edge  of  the  floor  covering  and 
rotting  the  material. 

To  brighten  oilcloths,  dissolve  half  an  ounce  of  beeswax  in  a 
saucer  of  turpentine;  rub  on,  then  dry  with  flannel. 

A  dingy  oilcloth  may  be  brightened  by  washing  it  in  clear 
water  with  a  little  borax  dissolved  in  it;  wipe  it  with  a  flannel  cloth 
that  you  have  dipped  into  milk  and  then  wring  as  dry  as  possible. 

Soap  should  never  be  applied  to  oilcloths,  nor,  if  it  be  desired 
to  keep  the  color,  should  a  scrubbing  brush  be  used.  Wash  the 
oilcloth  with  a  coarse  sponge  or  a  flannel  dipped  in  tepid  or  clean 
cold  water.  Beeswax,  with  a  very  little  turpentine,  makes  a  fine 
polish,  and  will  revive  the  colors  of  an  oilcloth  admirably. 

Painted,  oiled,  and  parquet  floors,  linoleum  and  oilcloth, 

are  injured  by  scrubbing;  wipe  them  with  a  cloth  wet  in  borax-water 
and  then  with  a  dry  one;  milk  on  a  cloth  gives  a  good  appearance 
to  oilcloth. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  219 

Oilcloth  must  be  wiped  perfectly  dry  as  it  is  washed.  Use 
little  soap  and  this  in  tepid  water;  change  often.  A  good  brush  and 
a  piece  of  dry  flannel  will  make  oilcloth  look  like  new,  especially 
if  linseed  oil  or  skim  milk  be  well  rubbed  in  after  washing.  If  in 
addition  to  these  precautions  they  are  varnished  annually  they  are 
almost  indestructible. 


CARE  OF  THE  REFRIGERATOR 

Chemicals  of  any  kind  must  be  kept  out  of  the  ice  box. 

The  more  quickly  a  substance  is  cooled  the  longer  it  will  keep. 

Never  mix  warm  food  with  cold.  Much  of  the  trouble  in  keep- 
ing cooked  foods  comes  from  putting  them  away  while  they  are 
still  warm. 

No  food  should  be  kept  in  the  refrigerator  without  ice,  and 

with  the  cover  on  or  the  door  closed. 

Water  may  be  cooled  to  a  refreshing  temperature  by  standing  in 
bottles  against  the  ice. 

Ice-saving  schemes  are  absurd,  defeating  the  purpose  of  the 
refrigerator.    It  is  the  food  that  is  to  be  kept  instead  of  the  ice. 

With  artificial  ice,  care  must  be  taken  not  to  let  fish  come  in 
contact  with  it,  as  the  ammonia  used  in  the  freezing  aflfects  the  fish. 

Meat  should  never  be  laid  directly  on  the  ice,  natural  or 
artificial,  as  it  extracts  all  the  good  meat  juices. 

Be  careful  not  to  spill  any  food  on  the  shelves.  Should  such 
an  accident  happen,  let  the  place  be  cleaned  at  once. 

The  idea  of  connecting  a  spring  to  a  refrigerator  door  will  be 
found  very  useful. 

Run  a  cloth,  or  a  flexible  rod,  down  the  waste-pipe,  being  careful 
to  remove  any  particle  of  dirt. 

Besides  washing  the  tubes  with  hot  water  and  soap,  put  them 
in  scalding  water  for  several  minutes  and  then  through  a  strong 
solution  of  sal-soda. 


220  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Put  nothing  edible  directly  on  the  ice;  see  that  it  is  in  glass  or 
porcelain. 

A  refrigerator  should  always  be  well  ventilated,  and  so  ar- 
ranged that  the  cold  air  from  the  ice  chamber  should  circulate  freely 
in  the  food  chambers. 

If  the  water  from  the  waste-pipe  is  not  caught  in  a  pan,  it 
may  be  carried  into  the  cellar,  where  the  waste  water  can  drip  into 
a  sink. 

The  waste-pipe  should  never  be  connected  directly  with  the 
plumbing.  Better  the  trouble  of  emptying  the  pan  twice  a  day  than 
run  the  risk  of  sewer  gas  getting  into  the  refrigerator. 

Wash  the  ice  and  put  it  carefully  in  the  box.  If  you  have  one 
that  is  porcelain-lined,  dropping  the  ice  in  may  mean  a  break,  and 
then  the  purchase  of  a  new  one. 

When  there  is  any  doubt  of  the  purity  of  the  ice  it  should  not 
be  used  in  the  drinking  water  or  in  direct  contact  with  foods  them- 
selves. 

Do  not  cover  the  shelves  with  cloth  or  paper  any  more  than 
you  do  the  ice.  There  must  be  good  circulation,  with  consequent 
melting  of  ice,  to  preserve  the  food  therein. 

Provide  everything  with  covers,  especially  milk,  butter  and 
eggs,  which  quickly  absorb  impurities.  Do  not  put  butter  in  the 
refrigerator  with  the  wrappings  on. 

Over-ripe  fruits  and  vegetables  are  a  menace  to  the  health  if 
left  in  the  refrigerator;  nothing  more  rapidly  taints  other  foods  than 
canteloupes. 

Be  careful  what  is  put  in,  and  remember  that  the  ice  chest  is 
for  ice,  and  should  not  be  encumbered  with  all  sorts  of  messes  and 
left-overs,  that  should  go  in  the  lower  part,  if  their  place  be  in  the 
refrigerator  at  all. 

The  refrigerator  should  never  be  scoured  out  less  often  than 
once  a  week,  and  it  should  be  kept  clean  between  times.  The  best 
mixture  for  scrubbing  it  out  is  a  strong  solution  of  washing  soda  and 
scalding  water.  This  may  be  applied  either  by  a  small  scrubbing- 
brush  or  by  a  cloth,  although  the  latter  is  rather  preferable.  Every- 
thing in  the  refrigerator,  including  the  shelves,  should  be  taken  out, 
and  the  sides  receive  as  vigorous  a  rubbing  as  the  bottom. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  221 

Neither  fish,  cheese,  cabbage,  onions  nor  bananas  shotdd  be 
kept  in  the  general  refrigerator.  Their  flavor  will  not  only  affect 
the  other  food,  but  will  render  the  butter,  milk  and  any  gelatinous 
preparations  absolutely  unfit  for  use. 

The  receptacle  for  ice  should  receive  equal  care.  Bits  of  bruised 
vegetables  are  sometimes  allowed  to  gather  here,  as  well  as  spilt 
milk  and  scraps  of  other  food.  They  should  all  be  removed  at  the 
weekly  cleaning,  and  the  soda  and  water  applied  here  also. 

Pieces  of  charcoal  should  be  laid  in  the  comers  to  absorb  any 
lurking  odors.  If  such  smells  are  obstinate,  the  suggestion  offered 
by  a  practical  writer  on  housewifery  may  be  followed,  and  a  little 
coffee  burned  in  the  refrigerator  cupboard. 

To  Clean  the  Refrigerator. — When  white  spots  appear  on  the 
refrigerator  take  all  food  out  and  rub  the  zinc  lining  with  kerosene. 
Leave  the  top  and  door  open  for  several  hours,  then  wash  with  soap 
and  ammonia  in  warm  water,  dry  thoroughly  and  the  refrigerator 
will  be  sweet  and  spotless. 

Should  ants  get  into  the  refrigerator,  a  saucer  of  tartar  emetic 
mixed  with  sugar  and  water  will  drive  them  away.  Another  method 
is  to  scour  the  shelves  with  hot  water  and  borax.  Dry  in  the  sun 
if  the  shelves  are  portable,  then  sprinkle  thickly  with  dry  borax, 
which  is  odorless  and  harmless  and  may  be  used  freely. 

If  you  keep  the  ice  box  well  filled,  you  will  have  the  benefit 
of  the  maximum  cooling  capacity  of  your  refrigerator;  otherwise  the 
temperature  will  never  be  very  low  and  things  will  not  keep  as  well. 
A  small  piece  of  ice  cannot  reduce  the  temperature  sufiBciently,  and 
the  result  is  that  each  new  piece  melts  rapidly  and  the  food  cannot 
be  kept  long.  When  the  box  is  kept  thoroughly  chilled,  the  ice 
itself  does  not  get  a  chance  to  melt.  The  ice  compartment  should 
never  be  opened  unless  absolutely  necessary. 

To  renovate  an  old  refrigerator  all  that  is  required  is  a  small 
can  of  white  lead,  a  can  of  white  enamel,  a  little  turpentine  and  some 
varnish  for  the  outside. 

The  first  thing  is  to  thoroughly  clean  the  refrigerator  inside,  then 
thin  the  white  lead  with  turpentine  until  it  will  spread  evenly,  and 
give  the  whole  inside  a  coat,  racks  and  all.  After  it  is  dry  give  it 
the  first  coat  of  enamel. 

If  the  enamel  is  too  thick  to  spread  easily,  thin  it  with  a  little 
turpentine,  and  after  the  first  coat  is  dry,  give  it  another,  being  care- 
ful to  spread  it  as  evenly  and  smootlily  as  possible. 


222  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

In  choosing  a  refrigerator,  one  having  two  separate  compart- 
ments for  storing  food,  and  a  generous  one  for  ice  should  be  decidea 
upon  so  that  with  the  ice  in  the  center,  the  meat  stored  on  one  side 
will  not  taint  the  butter,  cream  and  milk,  kept  away  on  the  other. 


THE  CARE  AND  PROPER  USE  OF  STOVES 

A  solution  of  pearlash  in  water  thrown  upon  a  fire  will  ex- 
tinguish it  immediately. 

A  small  toy  broom  is  handier  for  cleaning  up  dirt  around  a 
stove  than  a  large  broom. 

A  grate  that  is  kept  free  from  ashes  not  only  burns  better, 
but  gives  out  more  heat  for  the  amount  of  fire. 

For  the  sake  of  neatness,  the  ashes  should  be  removed  system- 
atically every  day. 

Add  vinegar  and  sugar  to  stove  polish  and  it  wiU  shine  much 
easier. 

To  polish  stoves  use  boiled  linseed  oil  on  the  steel  parts,  rub- 
bing well  with  a  woolen  cloth. 

When  polishing,  six  or  eight  drops  of  turpentine  added  to 
blacking  for  one  stove,  brightens  it  and  makes  it  easier  to  polish. 

To  remove  smoke  from  mica  plates,  wipe  with  a  soft  sponge 
wet  with  alcohol  or  vinegar. 

Liquid  Stove  Blacking. — Pulverized  black  lead  1  pound,  tur- 
pentine 1  gill,  water  1  gUl,  sugar  1  ounce. 

The  range  will  keep  black  much  longer  if  you  rub  it  over 
with  soap,  then  apply  the  blacking.     Save  all  small  pieces  of  soap 

for  this  purpose. 

A  couple  of  paper  bags  slipped  over  your  hands  will  prevent 
your  blacking  those  useful  members  while  you  are  polishing  the 
range. 

A  thin  coating  made  of  three  parts  of  lard,  melted  with  one  part 
resin,  and  applied  to  stoves  and  grates,  will  prevent  their  rusting 
during  the  summer. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  223 

In  cleaning  the  cook  stove,  do  not  forget  to  keep  the  pipe  clean 

within  and  without — an  important  point  to  bear  in  mind. 

Grease  your  hands  before  blacking  stoves,  then,  when  through, 
wash  as  usual  with  '..arm  water  and  soap.  In  this  way  the  hands 
do  not  absorb  the  bli-cking  and  it  does  not  leave  them  stained. 

A  good  cement  to  use  for  cracked  lids  is  equal  parts  of  wood 
ashes  and  salt,  with  just  enough  water  to  make  a  paste.  Use  when 
the  stove  is  cold,  and  it  will  soon  harden. 

The  ashes  from  the  stove  should  always  be  sifted,  and  the 
cinders  left  over  will  serve  to  hold  the  fire,  or  to  keep  the  heat  low 
in  the  furnace  on  warm  days. 

If  a  range  has  become  red  from  over-heating  or  rust,  before 
applying  stove  blacking  rub  the  surface  well  with  vinegar,  allowing 
it  to  dry.    Blacken  when  the  stove  is  slightly  warm,  not  hot. 

In  emptying  ashes  from  the  range  ash  pan,  a  light-weight  horse- 
shoe slipped  under  the  cross  piece  in  the  middle  of  the  pan  prevents 
soiling  or  burning  the  fingers. 

To  give  a  high  polish  to  your  stove,  mix  stove  polish  with  equal 
parts  of  household  ammonia  and  turpentine.  Rub  it  on  the  stove 
and  polish  with  a  soft  woolen  cloth. 

Most  housekeepers  prefer  the  old-fashioned  blacking  to  any  of 
the  cements,  because  of  its  lasting  qualities.  The  cement  is  easier 
to  apply,  as  it  requires  no  labor  in  polishing. 

Soft  coal  soot  makes  an  excellent  stove  polish.  Put  a  quart 
of  soot  in  some  old  vessel.  Put  a  teaspoonful  of  molasses  in  a  cupful 
of  vinegar,  pour  this  mixture  on  the  soot  and  stir  until  it  is  a  paste. 
You  can  put  it  on  nicely  when  the  stove  is  warm  or  cold. 

To  Polish  Nickel  on  Stoves. — Take  cold  wood  ashes,  add  enough 
cold  water  to  make  a  paste.  Apply  with  a  cloth,  when  dry  polish 
with  a  dry  cloth.    It  will  look  as  bright  as  new. 

When  a  stove  has  been  carefully  blackened  and  cleaned  it 
may  be  kept  in  a  nice  condition  for  a  long  time  by  simply  rubbing 
it  hard  with  a  crumpled  newspaper  after  each  meal. 

Let  the  oven  be  thoroughly  cleaned  with  a  brush  kept  for  that 
purpose,  then  nicely  washed,  and  your  bread  and  cake  will  have  a 
purer  flavor. 


224  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Never  leave  dust,  or  grease  remains  of  former  bakings  on  your 
oven  doors.  A  newspaper  will  remove  all  of  these;  a  wet  cloth  will 
complete  the  cleaning. 

Whip  together  the  cuffs  from  worn-out  shirts  for  stove  holders. 
These  are  already  thick  and  when  whipped  together  and  a  brass 
ring  sewed  into  one  comer  they  make  excellent  holders  that  are 
easily  washed. 

After  stockings  are  too  far  gone  to  be  worn,  they  make  excel- 
lent holders  to  use  around  the  kitchen  stove.  Fold  them  into  a 
square,  tucking  the  foot  smoothly  inside,  and  stitch  across  several 
times  on  the  sewing  machine. 

A  piece  of  burlap  about  the  size  of  a  tea  towel  is  very  good  for 
rubbing  up  the  kitchen  range  each  morning. 

Wring  it  from  water  and  wipe  stove  quickly,  and  even  if  the 
surface  is  hot,  the  hands  will  not  be  burned. 

Procure  two  bricks;  if  too  long  for  width  of  fire-pot,  chip  off 
until  they  fit.  Put  in  like  a  partition  across  the  middle  of  grate. 
A  fire  can  then  be  built  in  one  end;  it  will  save  heat  and  coal  and 
the  fire  will  not  slide  down. 

To  sift  cinders,  cover  your  sifter  with  an  old  apron  or  rag.  Seize 
it  thus  covered,  and  shake  without  lifting  the  edge  of  the  rag.  In 
case  of  wind,  tread  on  the  edges  to  keep  them  down.  A  few  stones 
applied  at  the  corners  wUl  do  as  well. 

When  applying  stove  polish,  whether  paste  or  liquid,  use  a 
small  paint  brush  to  put  it  on.  This  goes  into  every  crack  and  corner 
and  carries  the  blacking  there.  When  the  brush  is  not  in  use,  keep 
it  in  a  cup  of  cold  water  to  prevent  hardening. 

Use  a  dry  brush  for  polishing,  rubbing  briskly.  Polish  back 
of  stove  first.  If  the  stove  is  hot  it  cannot  be  made  bright  and  will 
burn  the  brush.  Liquid  polish  should  be  used  only  when  the  fire  is 
out  and  the  stove  cold. 

Some  prefer  a  light  color  for  their  iron  or  steel  stoves.  This 
may  be  secured  by  using  aluminum  paint,  which  is  usually  kept  at 
hardware  stores.  Ask  for  aluminum  paint,  such  as  is  used  for 
decorating  radiators  and  steam  pipes.  Apply  it  to  the  stove  with 
a  brush,  according  to  the  directions  which  come  with  it.  It  will 
stand  the  heat,  and  requires  but  one  application  in  a  season,  some- 
times not  so  frequent  as  that. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  225 

Simple  way  of  avoiding  the  smoke  and  gas  which  always 
pour  into  the  room  when  a  fire  is  Ht  in  a  stove,  heater,  or  fireplace 
on  a  damp  day:  Put  in  the  wood  and  coal  as  usual,  but  before 
lighting  them,  ignite  a  handful  of  paper  or  shavings  placed  on  top 
of  the  coal.  This  produces  a  current  of  hot  air  in  the  chimney,  which 
draws  up  the  smoke  and  gas  at  once. 

To  preserve  bright  grates  or  fire-irons  from  rust,  make  a  strong 
paste  of  fresh  lime  and  water,  and  with  a  fine  brush  smear  it  as 
thickly  as  possible  over  all  the  polished  surface  requiring  preserva- 
tion. By  this  simple  means  all  the  grates  and  fire-irons  in  an  empty 
house  may  be  kept  for  months  free  from  harm  without  further  care 
or  attention. 

To  Prevent  Metals  Rusting. — Melt  one  ounce  of  resin  in  a  gill 
of  linseed  oil,  and,  while  hot,  mix  with  it  two  quarts  of  kerosene  oil. 
This  can  be  kept  ready  to  apply  at  any  time  with  a  brush  or  rag 
to  any  tools  or  implements  required  to  lay  by  for  a  time,  prevent- 
ing any  rust,  and  saving  much  vexation  when  the  tool  is  to  be 
used  again. 

Regarding  the  rusting  of  sheet-iron  stoves,  the  following 
suggestions  may  be  observed  to  advantage:  The  room  where  the 
stove  is  located  may  seem  to  be  dry,  yet  be  so  cold  as  to  condense 
more  or  less  moisture  upon  the  iron,  and  a  rapid  corrosion  is  the 
result.  Covering  up  with  papers  has  been  frequently  tried  as  the 
best  method  of  preventing  rusting  upon  the  outside.  If  a  heater 
drum  rusts  from  the  inside,  as  it  is  apt  to  do,  it  will  be  a  good  plan 
to  disconnect  it  from  the  chimney  and  tie  papers  over  the  pipe  hole 
in  the  heater.  This  prevents  down  draught  tlirough  the  chimney 
into  the  body  of  the  drum,  and  prevents  the  formation  of  moisture 
upon  the  inside  of  the  drum,  as  the  air  becomes  cooled.  If  the 
heater  could  be  disconnected  all  around,  and  have  a  dish  of  lime 
placed  in  the  inside  to  absorb  the  moisture,  there  would  be  little 
trouble.  All  circulation  of  air  through  a  heater  or  furnace  should  be 
prevented  by  closing  all  of  the  openings,  and,  above  all,  have  all 
ashes  and  soot  taken  out  as  much  as  can  be. 


REMOVING  CLINKERS  FROM  STOVE  LININGS 

With  a  piece  of  iron  about  half  an  inch  wide,  bent  to  reach  the 
whole  lining,  scrape  the  surface  of  the  lining,  shake  down  lightly 
and  then  put  on  coal.  Kindlings  will  be  required  if  the  fire  has 
been  left  to  get  too  low;  but  it  is  better  to  do  this  earlier,  as  it  keeps 
a  steadier  fire  and  takes  no  more  coal. 


226  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

When  the  fire  is  the  hottest  there  are  no  ashes;  but  as  the  heat 

has  decreased  the  ashes  have  formed  and  settled  down  against  the 
lining,  and  shaking  does  not  wholly  remove  them.  If  more  coal  is 
added  the  heat  is  sufficient  to  fuse  the  ashes  on  the  lining,  and  there 
it  stays.  Each  time  this  is  repeated  more  ashes  adhere,  and  it  does 
not  talce  long  to  spoil  a  lining.  Scrape  these  ashes  off  thoroughly 
the  first  thing,  and  none  adliere,  and  it  seems  that  the  lining  will  never 
wear  out. 

If  one  stirs  a  coal  fire  at  the  top,  in  the  center,  the  fire  gen- 
erally goes  out,  because  the  cold  air  goes  up  through  the  center,  but 
by  scraping  around  the  outside  of  the  fire  and  leaving  the  center 
undisturbed,  the  air  going  up  around  the  fire  slightly  cools  the 
lining,  and  the  coal  in  the  center  retains  its  heat  sufficiently  to  burn 
up  again  quickly  without  kindlings  if  the  replenishing  has  not  been 
too  long  delayed. 

The  grate  must  be  let  down  often  enough  to  prevent  the 
accumulation  of  clinkers  in  the  bottom.  Once  or  twice  a  week  let 
down  the  grate,  replace  it,  and  put  in  some  wood,  and  then  some 
of  the  live  coals  on  the  top,  when  it  bums  up  immediately;  then  put 
on  a  handful  of  coal  and  close  the  stove,  and  have  a  fire  at  once  with- 
out the  heat  having  gone  down,  and  so  keep  a  good  fire  all  winter. 

This  can  be  depended  on:  that  scraping  the  ashes  from  the 
lining  before  replenishing  a  fire — every  time — will  effectually  pre- 
vent clinkers  from  adhering. 


USE  AND  ABUSE  OF  SOAP  IN  THE  HOME 

Bar  soap  when  first  bought  should  be  cut  into  square  pieces 
and  put  in  a  dry  place.    It  lasts  better  after  shrinking  and  drying. 

Hard  soap  lasts  much  longer  if  dried  for  several  weeks  before 
using  it.    It  is  also  less  hurtful  to  the  skin. 

Nails  dipped  into  soap  will  drive  easily  into  hard  wood. 

Soft  soap  is  excellent  for  cleaning,  and  the  small  trouble  of 
saving  the  fat  and  making  the  soap  will  repay  one. 

Soft  Soap. — To  one  cake  of  the  concentrated  lye,  add  three 
gallons  of  soft  water.  Set  it  on  the  fire,  put  in  four  pounds  of  soap  fat, 
and  let  it  boil  until  quite  clear.  Empty  into  a  barrel,  and  add  twelve 
gallons  of  soft  water.  Wlien  cold  it  will  be  as  thick  as  jelly-  The 
concentrated  lye  can  be  had  at  almost  any  drug  store. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  227 

It  is  a  common  practice  in  many  houseliolds  to  throw  away 
the  fat  as  it  accumulates.  Every  bit  of  this  should  be  precious  to 
the  housewife  with  economical  tendencies.  Mutton,  lamb  and  turkey 
fat  should  be  tried  out  carefully  and  strained  into  a  five-pound 
lard  pail.  This,  with  a  pound  of  potash,  or  caustic  soda,  will  make 
ten  gallons  of  soft  soap,  or  seven  pounds  of  hard  soap,  at  a  cost  of 
ten  cents. 

Some  housekeepers  put  the  cake  of  soap  in  the  dishpan  and 
turn  the  hot  water  on  it.  This  is  not  only  wasteful,  but  sometimes 
makes  the  melted  soap  stick  to  the  dishes.  A  good  way  is  to  fasten 
a  wire  handle  on  an  empty  pea  or  bean  can,  perforate  the  bottom,  fill 
it  with  scrai)S  of  soap  and  hang  it  over  the  hot-water  faucet.  The 
water  may  be  as  hot  as  one  wishes  and  a  soapy,  cleansing  dishwater 
is  the  result. 

An  economical  and  handy  way  of  using  up  all  the  bits  of  soap 
which  accumulate  in  the  soap-dishes,  is  in  a  soap-shaker.  This  can 
be  home-made,  if  it  is  not  convenient  to  buy  one.  Take  a  small  tin 
can  (such  as  baking  powder  comes  in),  with  a  tight  cover,  and  with 
a  steel  nail  punch  several  holes  in  top  and  bottom.  Put  in  this  the 
bits  of  soap  and  shake  it  in  your  dish-water  until  a  suds  is  formed. 

To  make  a  good  hard  soap,  dissolve  one  pound  of  potash  in 
twelve  quarts  of  water  in  the  kettle  in  which  the  soap  is  to  be  boiled. 
Add  to  the  potash  five  pounds  of  grease.  Boil  slowly,  adding  a  little 
boiling  water  as  it  is  cooking.  Stir  with  a  stick  and  boil  two  or  three 
hours.  When  the  mixture  adheres  and  strings  from  the  stick,  it  is 
boiled  enough.  Pour  into  old  pans  or  moulds.  The  following  day 
cut  into  bars  and  dry  for  use. 

Next  in  importance  to  a  box  of  soap  in  the  kitchen  is  a  big 
bottle  of  ammonia.  A  spoonful  in  the  dishwater,  in  the  pan  used 
in  washing  tables,  in  the  sink  to  keep  it  free  from  disagreeable  odors, 
and  in  the  scouring  bucket,  will  give  magic  help. 


CARE  OF  SINKS  AND  WASTE  PIPES 

To  cleanse  sinks  and  drains,  pour  copperas  dissolved  in  boihng 
water  through  them. 

To  clean  greasy  sink  pipes,  dissolve  potash  and  throw  down, 
or,  better  still,  let  it  dissolve  in  the  pipes. 

Keep  a  box  filled  with  chloride  of  lime  in  some  convenient 
place  to  use  around  drains,  sinks,  etc. 


228  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  light  sprinkling  of  washing  soda  in  the  bottom  of  the  sink 
after  each  dish  washing,  keeps  it  sweet  and  prevents  the  waste-pipe 
fro-m  becoming  clogged  with  grease.  Of  course,  it  is  understood  that 
the  customary  daily  washing  with  hot  water  must  be  observed. 

To  Detect  Sewer  Gas. — Dissolve  one  ounce  of  pure  acetate  of 
lead  in  half  a  pint  of  pure  rain  water.  Dip  a  piece  of  blotting  paper 
in  the  solution,  let  it  half  dry,  and  then  expose  it  where  the  presence 
of  sewer  gas  is  suspected.  Should  the  paper  turn  black,  then  the 
gas  is  there  in  considerable  quantity. 

If  your  sink  drain  becomes  stopped  up,  you  can  often  clear 
it  by  using  the  palm  of  your  hand  as  a  suction  pump.  Have  plenty 
of  water  in  the  sink,  and  press  in  rapid  succession  with  the  palm  of 
the  hand  until  the  water  runs  freely  again. 

Just  before  retiring  at  night  pour  into  the  clogged  pipe  enough 
liquid  soda  lye  to  fill  the  trap  or  bent  part  of  the  pipe.  Be  sure  that 
no  water  runs  in  it  until  the  next  morning.  During  the  night  the  lye 
will  convert  all  the  offal  into  soft  soap,  and  the  first  current  of  water 
in  the  morning  will  wash  it  away  and  clear  the  pipe. 


IN  THE  LAUNDRY 

Soaking  saves  both  time  and  much  wear  and  tear  of  the 

clothes  by  doing  away  with  a  good  part  of  the  rubbing. 

The  table  linen  and  towels  used  for  glass  and  china  should  be 
put  into  one  tub,  the  bed  linen,  towels,  and  underclothing  in  another, 
and  the  coarser  kitchen  and  dish  towels  in  a  third.  Over  these 
should  be  poured  enough  warm  water  to  cover  them,  to  which  has 
been  added  soap  and  kerosene  oil  in  the  proportion  of  one  half  bar 
of  soap  and  four  tablespoonfuls  of  the  oil  for  every  six  gallons  of 
water. 

Washing  Fluid. — Dissolve  one  pound  of  soda  in  two  quarts  of 
water,  add  four  quarts  of  clear  lime  water;  stir,  and  when  all  sedi- 
ment has  settled,  pour  off  the  clear  water.  In  one  quart  of  boiling 
water  dissolve  three  ounces  of  borax,  and  add  it  to  the  six  quarts  of 
clear  water;  when  cold,  add  three  ounces  of  carbonate  of  ammonia, 
j)ulverized;  as  soon  as  it  is  dissolved,  pour  off  into  bottles  and  cork 
tightly. 

The  above  is  one  of  the  best  of  washing  fluids,  and  injures  the 
clothes  less  than  most. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  229 

The  first  thing  in  the  morning  is  to  rub  the  clothes  out  of  the 
water  in  wMch  they  have  lain  overnight.  The  tub  containing  the 
table  linen  should  be  taken  first;  as  all  stains  will  have  been  removed, 
when  they  were  put  to  soak,  by  boiling  water  or  acid,  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  spot,  there  ■^vill  be  nothing  to  do  but  to  rub  them 
around  in  the  water  a  little  with  the  hands,  pass  them  through  the 
wringer,  and  place  them  in  the  boiler  to  scald  while  the  second  tubful 
is  washed  out. 

If  a  tablespoonful  of  boraxis  put  into  the  last  waterin  which  white 
clothes  are  rinsed,  it  will  whiten  them  very  much.  The  borax  should 
be  dissolved  in  a  little  hot  water  before  it  is  added  to  the  rinsing  water. 

To  bleach  white  clothes  put  about  a  teaspoonful  of  turpentine 
in  the  boiler.  When  boiling  the  clothes  this  will  help  to  wliiten  the 
clothes  and  keep  them  from  turning  yellow. 

If  the  clothes  are  not  put  into  the  water  until  the  morning, 

a  little  household  ammonia  should  be  poured  in  with  them  to  "loosen 
the  dirt." 

Great  saving  of  time  and  strength  may  be  found  in  the  use  of 
the  small  five-cent  vegetable  brushes.  They  are  just  the  thing  to 
rub  soiled  aeck-bands,  wrists  and  all  badly  soiled  garments  with. 

The  best  way  of  washing  large  pieces  of  linen,  like  table- 
cloths, is  to  soap  the  soiled  places  after  first  removing  all  stains  which 
it  is  thought  will  not  come  out  with  washing. 

Different  stains  require  to  be  treated  differently,  and  every 
housekeeper  has  her  own  rules.  The  majority  of  stains  that  will  not 
wash  out  should  be  treated  before  the  cloth  is  wet. 

Scalding  water  sets  stains,  while  that  which  is  briskly  boiling 
removes  them.  Pour  boiling  water  through  tea-stained  table  cloths 
and  aU  discoloration  will  be  eradicated,  if  not  set  in  a  previous 
washing.    Most  fresh  berry  stains  may  thus  be  removed. 

Table  linen  requires  care  in  the  laundry  to  make  it  look  well. 
When  tablecloths  or  napkins  are  taken  from  the  line  fold  or  roll  them, 
and  they  will  iron  more  readily  than  if  placed  in  a  wrinkled  heap  in  a 
basket  with  other  clothes.  Linen  will  iron  smoother  if  it  is  dampened 
or  sprinkled,  as  it  is  called,  over  night.  For  ironing  a  tablecloth,  fold 
it  with  a  crease  in  the  center  the  long  way,  and  fold  over  once  more; 
then  place  it  across  the  bars,  and  when  the  cloth  is  well  aired  roll  it, 
and  place  it  on  a  shelf  or  in  a  deep  drawer. 


230  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  you  want  the  waists  stiff,  dry  them  before  starching;  if  not 
very  stiff,  they  can  be  starched  first. 

All  white  clothes  should  be  left  on  the  line  or  bleaching 
ground  as  long  as  convenient,  to  keep  them  in  good  color ;  but  colored 
clothes  should  be  brought  in  out  of  the  sun  as  soon  as  dry. 

The  fine  clothes  should  be  laid  aside  to  be  attended  to  after 
the  fine  flannels  have  been  washed.  The  nicer  white  pieces  may  be 
put  through  the  second  water  from  the  flannels.  After  this  come 
colored  flannels,  bed  linen,  etc.,  and,  last  of  all,  the  coarser  pieces. 

White  clothes  that  have  become  yellow  from  the  use  of  too 

much  soap,  or  any  cause,  may  be  whitened  in  the  following  simple 
manner:  After  they  have  been  waslied  in  the  usual  way,  put  them 
to  soak  over  night  in  clear  water,  into  which  cream-of-tartar  has 
been  put;  a  teaspoonful  to  the  quart  is  the  right  proportion.  When 
ironed  they  will  be  as  white  as  when  new. 

In  cold  weather  if  towels  are  rinsed  in  salt  water  after  being 
washed,  they  will  not  freeze  on  the  line.  Bring  them  in  and  air 
without  ironing,  fold  and  put  away.  Salt  is  particularly  good  for 
bath  towels,  as  the  salt  left  in  the  towel  is  exhilarating  for  the  skin 
when  used  after  a  bath. 

It  is  a  great  mistake  to  allow  linen  to  freeze  on  the  line  in 
winter.  Even  at  some  sacrifice  in  purity  of  color,  linen  goods  should 
be  dried  in  the  house.  When  the  goods  are  frozen,  the  fibre  is  strained 
to  some  extent,  and  every  fold  or  crease  in  the  linen  strains  it  still 
more,  and  in  a  short  time  cracks  appear  where  there  were  folds. 
No  linen  is  proof  against  this  strain. 

Plain  white  toilet  cloths  should  be  washed  in  a  hot  suds,  and  if 
badly  soiled  and  yellowed,  should  be  boiled  for  two  minutes.  Then 
the  cloths  should  be  rinsed  thoroughly  in  clean,  cold  water,  and 
finally  dipped  in  slightly  blued  water.  A  rubbing  board  should  not 
be  used  in  this  work,  but  the  soiled  spots  may  be  rubbed  hard  in  the 
hands. 

Muslin  and  scrim  must  be  handled  gently  and  be  squeezed  in 
the  water  rather  than  rubbed,  even  by  the  hands.  Scrim  and  muslin 
should  be  stiffened  by  dipping  them  into  thin,  boiled  starch.  They 
should  be  thoroughly  dried,  then  dampened,  and  rolled  up  tightly 
for  an  hour  before  ironing.  Wlien  scrim  or  muslin  is  ironed,  be  care- 
ful to  pull  out  the  edges  straight,  and,  having  the  flatiron  clean,  press 
out  the  ruffles  or  lace  edges  first. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  231 

Colored  clothes  should  never  be  boiled. 

Soap  should  never  be  rubbed  directly  on  any  article  which  will 
fade. 

Black  goods  and  black  stockings  should  be  rinsed  in  clear 
water  to  which  has  been  added  a  liberal  portion  of  vinegar. 

To  set  the  color  in  wash  materials  and  embroidery  cottons 
soak  them  in  strong  salt  water. 

Rain  water  and  white  castile  soap  in  a  lukewarm  suds  is  the  best 
mixture  in  which  to  wash  embroideries. 

For  lilac,  or  purples,  vinegar  will  be  found  to  slightly  intensify 
as  well  as  preserve  the  color. 

Any  shade  of  blue  may  be  permanently  fixed  by  soaking  first 
in  a  bucket  of  water  into  which  an  ounce  of  sugar  of  lead  has  been 
poured. 

Almost  any  delicate  colored  fabric,  especially  buff  and  blue, 
will  fade  little,  if  any,  if  washed  and  rinsed  in  moderately  strong 
salt  water. 

When  there  is  danger  of  the  color  of  any  article  changing, 

it  should  be  washed,  rinsed,  and  starched  (if  necessary),  and  hung 
out  on  the  line  without  laying  it  out  of  the  hands. 

Soaking  calico  previous  to  the  first  washing  in  a  strong  solu- 
tion of  either  salt  or  alum  is  an  excellent  method  of  preserving  the 
color. 

To  Set  Colors. — Green,  blue,  lavender,  aniline  reds,  purple  and 
pink  should  be  soaked  in  alum  water — two  ounces  to  a  tub.  Black, 
gray  and  dark  blue  should  soak  in  strong  salted  water. 

To  keep  red  napkins  and  tablecloths  from  fading,  put  a  little 
borax  into  the  washing  water;  for  blue,  use  sugar  of  lead  instead  of 
borax. 

To  make  dyes  fast,  dissolve  six  ounces  of  gelatine  in  water  and 
add  to  this  one  ounce  of  bichromate  of  potash.  Do  this  in  a  dark 
room.  Add  the  dye,  submit  the  goods  thereto,  and  afterward  expose 
to  the  light.  The  pigment  thus  becomes  insoluble  in  water,  and  the 
color  is  fast. 


232  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  glass  washboard  costs  a  few  cents  more  than  a  zinc  one,  but 
is  cleaner  and  much  easier  of  operation. 

If  the  material  is  washable  at  all,  black  dye  can  practically  be 
rendered  a  fast  color  by  the  help  of  the  salt-water  bath  before  the 
general  washing  is  commenced.  After  such  a  treatment,  faded  black 
caused  by  washing  will  never  occur. 

If  you  have  a  wash  dress  with  green  ground,  the  color  of  which 
is  likely  to  fade,  add  sufticient  vinegar  to  the  starch  to  make  it  taste 
somewhat  acid;  or,  if  you  do  not  starch  it,  rinse  it  in  vinegar  and 
water  and  dry  the  goods  in  the  shade. 

To  set  the  color  and  prevent  delicate  colored  cambrics  and 

dimities  from  fading  when  washed,  dissolve  five  cents'  worth  of 
sugar  of  lead  in  a  pail  of  cold  water  and  soak  the  garment  in  it  two 
hours;   then  rinse  and  wash. 

Most  colors  require  either  salt  or  vinegar  in  the  last  rinsing 
water  to  fix  them;  as  a  general  rule  the  lighter  colors  take  salt,  the 
darker,  vinegar.  Both  are  used  in  the  proportion  of  a  tablespoonful 
to  a  quart  of  water.    When  in  doubt  use  both. 

Colored  hosiery  may  be  prevented  from  fading  by  washing 
it  in  lukewarm  water,  and  then  soaking  it  in  ten  quarts  of  cold  water, 
to  which  have  been  added  a  tumbler  of  vinegar  and  a  handful  of  salt. 

Black  and  fancy  colored  hosiery  should  be  washed  in  warm 
suds  in  which  it  may  soak  a  while  if  necessary  without  injuring  the 
color,  rinsed  in  clear  water  to  which  has  been  added  enough  bluing 
to  give  it  a  nice  blue  tint,  and  dried  wrong  side  out  in  the  shade. 

Those  that  have  become  discolored  by  improper  washing  may 
sometimes  be  made  to  look  quite  nice  again  by  proceeding  as  directed 
and  having  the  rinse  water  made  almost  black  with  the  bluing. 

White  silk  stockings  can  be  kept  very  nice  by  washing  them  in 
clear  warm  water  and  borax.  Make  it  quite  strong  and  let  them 
soak  in  it  a  while  before  washing  them  in  the  hands.  Such  things 
should  never  be  washed  on  the  board.  They  do  not  turn  yellow  in 
the  least,  as  is  sometimes  the  case  with  soap  washing.  If  this  will  not 
remove  the  soil,  use  a  little  soap  powder  in  the  water. 

If  there  are  stains  from  the  leather  of  the  shoes,  try  a  little 
oxalic  acid  to  remove  them.  Do  not  let  it  remain  on  long  as  it  will 
injure  the  texture,  and  always  remember  that  oxalic  acid  is  poison 
and.  must  be  used  with  caution  and  kept  out  of  the  way  of  children. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  233 

To  prevent  wooden  pails  or  tubs  from  shrinking  when  not 
in  use,  paint  them  over  with  glycerine. 

To  Wash  Colored  Linens  and  Muslins  without  Fading. — 

Boil  two  quarts  of  wheat  bran  half  an  hour  in  four  quarts  of  hot  soft 
water.  Let  it  cool,  then  strain,  and  pour  the  liquor  into  the  water 
in  which  the  dress  is  to  be  washed.  Use  neither  soap  nor  starch,  and 
rinse  once  only.  In  this  way  the  delicate  colored  linens  used  so  much 
now  will  keep  their  color  until  worn  out. 

For  Washing  Black  or  Navy  Blue  Linens,  Percales,  etc. — 

Take  two  potatoes  grated  into  tepid  soft  water  (first  having  peeled 
and  washed  them)  into  which  put  a  teaspoonful  of  ammonia.  Wash 
the  goods  in  this,  and  rinse  in  cold  blue  water.  Starch  will  not  be 
needed,  and  if  at  all  practicable,  they  should  be  dried  and  ironed  on 
the  wrong  side. 

To  wash  printed  goods  which  have  a  black  ground  with  a  white 
pattern :  Dissolve  two  ounces  of  red  chromate  of  potash,  three  ounces 
of  common  salt,  and  two  and  a  half  ounces  of  sal-soda  in  a  wash 
boiler  of  water  heated  to  boiling  point.  Put  the  dress  into  this  hot 
bath  for  five  minutes,  and  frequently  turn  and  stir  it.  Then  wash  it 
thorougUy  in  clean  water.  The  black  ground  will  not  be  dull  and 
"foxy,"  and  the  white  portion  of  the  goods  wiU  appear  perfectly 
bright  and  clear. 

To  wash  soiled  dress  shields,  lay  them  on  a  board  or  table, 
soiled  side  up,  and  give  a  thorough  scrubbing  with  a  stiff  brush  and 
any  good  laundry  soap,  with  plenty  of  lukewarm  water.  Hold  under 
the  faucet  until  completely  rinsed.  Do  not  squeeze,  but  hang  each 
dripping  piece  on  the  line  until  dry. 

Cheap  Washing. — About  two  pounds  of  soap  is  reduced  with 
a  little  water  to  a  sort  of  pap,  which,  having  been  slightly  warmed, 
is  cooled  in  ten  gallons  of  water,  to  which  is  added  one  spoonful  of 
turpentine  oil  and  two  spoonfuls  of  ammonia;  then  the  mixture  is 
agitated.  The  water  is  kept  at  a  temperature  which  may  be  borne 
by  the  hand.  In  this  solution  are  introduced  the  white  clothes,  and 
they  are  left  there  two  hours  before  washing  them  in  soap,  taking 
care  in  the  meantime  to  cover  the  tub.  The  soapy  water  may  be 
warmed  again  and  be  used  once  more,  but  it  will  be  necessary  to 
add  half  a  spoonful  of  turpentine  and  another  spoonful  of  ammonia. 
Once  washed  in  soap,  the  clothes  are  put  in  warm  water  and  the 
blue  is  applied.  This  process  saves  much  time,  much  labor,  and 
fuel;  it  gives  to  the  clothes  a  whiteness  much  superior  to  that 
obtained  by  any  other  method. 


234  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Try  paraffin  for  mending  a  leaky  wash-tub;  empty  it,  dry 
well  with  a  cloth,  and  pour  melted  paraffin  around  the  cracks. 

If  one  wants  a  suit  stiff  it  should  be  dried  before  starching — but 
in  the  shade,  never  in  the  sun,  as  colored  clothes  are  sure  to  fade 
while  wet,  on  the  same  principle  that  one  bleaches  white  garments  in 
strong  sunshine.  They  should,  of  course,  never  be  boiled.  Pale  green 
is  a  color  that  fades  easily,  but  a  little  alum  in  the  rinsing  water  will 
fix  it. 

Do  not  put  soap  directly  upon  pretty  ginghams.  If  they 
are  much  soiled,  put  them  in  salt  and  water  for  an  hour,  then  wash 
them  in  a  good  warm  (not  hot)  suds  of  soft  water  and  good  washing 
powder.  Put  through  a  thin  starch  and  hang  out  of  doors  to  dry. 
Iron  on  the  wrong  side  to  avoid  a  gloss. 

Quick  way  of  laundering  napkins,  doilies,  ties,  etc,  a  way 
which  gives  no  trouble  with  starching  and  drying:  First,  wash  the 
article,  then  dip  for  about  two  seconds  in  a  dipper  of  boiling  water. 
Immediately  iron  them  out  with  a  very  hot  iron,  and  find  them  as 
stiff  as  though  starched,  and  looking  like  new. 

For  washing  embroidery  in  crewels  or  silk,  pour  a  gallon  of 
boiling  water  on  one  pound  of  bran.  Let  it  stand  for  twenty-four 
hours,  stirring  occasionally;  strain  and  use.  A  decoction  of  soap 
bark  is  also  excellent  for  the  same  purpose.  Simmer  a  handful  of 
soap  bark  in  a  quart  of  water  tmtil  the  bark  is  perfectly  soft;  strain 
the  decoction,  dilute  with  water,  and  wash  the  articles  in  it. 

Linen  and  denim,  whether  embroidered  in  white  or  colors, 
do  not  need  any  starch.  They  should  be  ironed  when  damp,  and  then 
will  be  sufficiently  stiff.  Wash  them  in  lukewarm  suds,  rinse  care- 
fully, and  hang  them  where  they  will  dry  quickly,  but  not  where  the 
sun  will  pour  down  on  them.  Do  not  use  hot  water,  especially  when 
colored  silks  or  linens  have  been  used,  and  hasten  the  laundering 
as  much  as  possible.  Iron  embroidered  cloths  on  the  wrong  side 
till  perfectly  dry. 

A  laundry  bag  is  a  great  improvement  over  the  basket  commonly 
used  when  taking  clothes  from  the  line.  It  can  be  made  from  two 
yards  of  hea%^  unbleached  muslin.  Make  a  deep  strong  hem  at  the 
top  and  fasten  two  hooks  made  of  wire  and  shaped  like  ordinary 
dress  hooks,  about  eighteen  inches  apart  on  this  hem.  When  taking 
down  the  clothes  the  bag  is  hooked  over  the  line  and  can  be  easily 
pushed  along  as  the  clothes  are  removed. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  235 

Clothes-pins  boiled  a  few  minutes,  and  quickly  dried,  once  or 
twice  a  month,  become  more  durable. 

Boil  the  clothes-line,  and  it  will  not  "kinl:,"  as  new  rope  is 
apt  to  do. 

Wash  and  wipe  the  rub  board,  too,  and  make  very  dry  before 
putting  it  away. 

When  the  washing  is  done,  the  tubs  should  be  put  upside  down 
on  the  basement  floor,  a  little  water  poured  over  the  bottom,  and 
they  will  never  dry  out  and  fall  to  pieces. 

If  in  a  hurry  to  use  a  tub  that  leaks,  press  common  soap  into 
the  cracks  from  the  outside  and  you  will  experience  no  trouble  in 
using  it. 

When  putting  the  boiler  away,  wipe  it  as  dry  as  possible  and 
always  place  it  upside  down.  In  this  way  it  will  last  for  years.  When 
convenient,  it  is  well  to  keep  the  boiler  on  a  high  shelf. 

Equal  parts  of  melted  lard  and  kerosene  oil  do  just  as  well 
as  the  expensive  machine  oil  for  oiling  the  washer,  wringer,  door 
hinges  and  numerous  other  things  around  the  house. 

To  repair  a  clothes-wringer  which  has  the  rubber  worn  down 
in  the  center,  wrap  it  with  strips  of  unbleached  muslin  several  times 
around,  lapping  each  half-way,  and  fastening  with  needle  and  thread. 

Do  not  forget  to  wash  the  rubber  rollers  of  the  wringer  with 
kerosene  occasionally,  nor  to  wipe  it  very  dry,  and  loosen  the  screws, 
when  putting  it  away. 

Every  woman  knows  how  difficult  it  is  to  get  the  clothes  out 
of  the  laundry  bag.  This  may  be  easily  remedied  by  putting  a  draw- 
string in  both  ends  of  the  bag,  and  simply  untying  the  string  at  the 
bottom,  when  one  wishes  to  get  the  clothes  out. 

If  the  lines  are  strung  between  the  porch  and  the  woodshed, 
instead  of  anchoring  each  end  firmly  to  hooks  or  spikes,  hang  up  a 
couple  of  small  pulleys  and  run  the  line  through  them,  belt  fashion. 
By  keeping  the  rope  taut,  all  the  clothes  can  be  hung  from  one  spot, 
simply  running  out  the  line  as  it  is  needed.  Two  lines  or  sets  of 
lines  can  be  hung  in  this  way  from  the  porch  or  door,  and  the  house- 
keeper, in  hanging  out  or  taking  down  the  clothes,  docs  not  have  to 
wade  through  the  wet  grass,  or  expose  herself  to  the  rain  and  weather 


236  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Take  care  that  the  knot  in  the  line  is  kept  away  from  the 
pulley.  When  the  wind  is  blowing  the  clothes  are  apt  to  be  blown 
over  the  other  line,  and  so  become  tangled  and  unmanageable.  To 
avoid  this  tie  a  weight  to  the  knot,  and  the  two  lines  will  then  be 
kept  apart. 

It  is  best  to  use  hard  water  for  rinsing. 

Clothes  should  always  be  thoroughly  rinsed  until  all  suds 
is  removed  from  them. 

Soften  water,  for  washing  clothes,  by  dissolving  one  teaspoon- 

ful  of  granulated  lye  in  four  gallons  of  water. 

To  clear  muddy  water,  put  one  teaspoonful  of  alum  to  four 
gallons  of  water. 

To  launder  a  garment  for  immediate  wear,  wash  and  starch 
as  usual,  but,  instead  of  hanging  out  to  dry,  lay  flat  on  a  bath-towel. 
Then,  beginning  at  one  end,  roll  the  towel  and  the  garment  with  it, 
as  tightly  as  you  can.  In  a  very  short  time  the  towel  will  absorb 
enough  of  the  moisture  so  that  the  garment  will  be  just  right  for 
ironing. 

Fine  lingerie  waists  do  not  require  boiling,  except  when  more 
than  usually  soiled;  they  should  then  be  steeped  first  in  cold  water, 
and  the  dirt  washed  out  with  white  (not  ordinary  laundry)  soap  in 
the  same  water,  as  hot,  after  steeping  in  cold,  would  help  to  fix  it. 
They  may  then  be  boiled  for  a  few  minutes — not  the  regulation 
twenty  that  is  given  ordinary  washing — and  should  be  put  in  a  little 
bag  to  boil  in  case  of  specks  of  rust  getting  on  them. 

They  should  not  be  rubbed  in  washing  nor  wrung  out,  as 

it  not  only  spoils  the  surface  of  fine  muslins  and  linen  lawns  but 
loosens  the  lace  insets.  The  soap  should  be  left  in  the  water  enough 
to  make  it  a  little  lathery,  but  not  rubbed  onto  the  waists  themselves. 
Stir  the  bluing  water  well  with  the  hand  before  dipping  them  in,  to 
avoid  streaks.  They  should  be  rinsed  in  clear  water  at  least  once 
before  going  in  the  bluing  water,  then  squeezed,  not  wrung,  dry  and 
hung  in  the  sun  where  they  will  bleach. 

Indigo  as  bought  at  the  drug  store,  crushed  to  a  powder,  and 
put  in  a  bottle  in  the  jjroportions  of  two  talilespoonfuls  of  powder  to 
a  quart  of  water,  makes  a  good  bluing.  Enough  should  be  added  to 
make  the  rinse  water  a  pale  blue  when  a  little  of  it  is  held  up  in 
the  hollow  of  the  hand. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  237 

The  amount  of  bluing  to  be  added  depends  on  individual  taste, 
perhaps,  but  more  than  removes  the  yellow  tinge,  seems  to  us  to 
spoil  the  look  of  any  article. 

Liquid  bluing  which  never  settles  is  made  by  dissolving  one 
ounce  Prussian  blue  and  a  half  ounce  oxalic  acid  in  a  quart  of  cold 
rain-water.    Be  careful  of  the  acid — it  is  a.  poison. 

Rinse  a  piece  of  white  sheeting  in  strong  bluing  water  until  it 
is  very  blue.  When  dry  make  a  bag  of  this  cloth  and  fold  the  white 
fabrics  within.    They  will  emerge  in  the  spring  perfectly  white. 

Too  much  bluing  renders  clothes  yellow  after  a  time.  Inex- 
perienced or  careless  servants  think  the  more  bluing  in  the  water 
the  better  for  the  wash;  and  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  convince  them 
that  the  clothes  will  look  far  better  if  only  a  small  quantity  be  used. 

As  bluing  varies  so  much  in  intensity,  experience  only  can 
teach  the  required  quantity.  Usually  half  a  tablespoonful  to  a  tub 
of  water  is  sufficient.  It  should  always  be  diluted  before  it  is  put  in 
the  tub;  as,  if  not  thoroughly  mixed  before  the  clothes  are  put  in, 
unsightly  streaks  will  be  the  result. 

If  quilts  are  folded  or  rolled  after  washing,  and  then  beaten, 
it  will  lighten  the  cotton  and  make  them  as  soft  as  new  quilts. 

Blankets  are  best  washed  in  mildly  tepid  (not  warm)  water,  into 
which  a  tablespoonful  of  ammonia  and  a  small  cake  of  castile  soap 
have  been  put,  the  latter  shaven  to  dissolve  readily.  Rinse  in  cold 
water. 

Soap  should  never  be  rubbed  on  flannels,  but  they  should  be 
washed  in  warm  suds,  and  rinsed  in  water  of  the  same  temperature 
as  that  in  which  they  were  washed. 

A  little  bluing  in  the  second  water  will  improve  their  color. 

They  should  be  hung  out  at  once,  dried  in  the  shade,  and,  if 
possible,  ironed  while  still  damp. 

Flannels  thus  treated  will  never  become  stiff  and  yellow,  but 
will  retain  the  color  and  texture  of  new  goods. 

Where  there  are  fine  baby  flannels  it  is  well  to  have  a  special 
time  for  washing  them,  so  that  they  may  be  ironed  before  they  are 
quite  dry  without  interrupting  the  general  wash. 


238  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  shrink  flannel  without  having  it  lose  the  appearance  of 
new  flannel,  fill  a  tub  with  cold  water,  lay  in  your  new  flannel 
before  making  it  up,  and  leave  till  it  sinks  to  the  bottom  of  tub. 
Hang  up  at  once  without  squeezing  or  wringing,  and  when  dry  it 
will  never  shrink. 

To  Whiten  Flannels. — A  solution  of  one  and  a  half  pounds  of 
white  soap  and  two-thirds  of  an  ounce  of  spirits  of  ammonia,  dis- 
solved in  twelve  gallons  of  soft  water,  will  impart  a  beautiful  and 
lasting  whiteness  to  any  flannel  dipped  in  it,  no  matter  how  yellow 
they  may  have  been  previous  to  their  immersion. 

After  being  well  stirred  round  for  a  short  time,  the  articles  should 
be  taken  out  and  well  washed  in  clean  cold  water. 

To  Wash  Heavy  Bed-clothes. — Make  a  warm  suds  with  good 
soap,  and  let  the  comfortables  or  blankets  soak  in  it  for  a  whUe.  Then 
take  a  new  clean  hoe  for  a  pounder.  Pound  well,  and  pound  again  in 
another  suds.  Rinse  thoroughly  and  hang  on  the  line  without 
wringing.  If  a  hose  is  handy,  spray  plenty  of  water  over  them  when 
on  the  line.  The  cotton  in  comfortables  will  not  mat  when  washed 
in  this  way. 

Washing  a  Sweater. — Do  not  wring  out  and  hang  it  up  to  dry, 
as  you  would  anything  ordinarily,  but  wash  it  by  pressing  or  sopping 
in  suds;  squeeze  it  out  by  pressing  in  a  ball  against  the  side  of  the 
tub,  rinse  thoroughly  in  the  same  way,  and  instead  of  hanging  it  up 
to  dry,  make  a  hammock  of  a  towel  by  fastening  tapes  to  the  corners. 
Lay  the  sweater  in  this,  and  as  it  dries,  turn  it. 

Never  soak  woolen  garments.  Make  a  strong  lather  of  soap 
with  very  hot  water;  let  it  cool,  and  when  lukewarm  wash  the 
flannels  quickly,  without  ever  rubbing  soap  on  them.  Shake  them 
in  the  water,  clap  them  between  the  hands,  but  avoid  the  ordinary 
rubbing,  as  it  is  apt  to  pull  them  out  of  shape.  If  not  clean,  repeat 
the  process  with  a  fresh  lather;  rinse  at  once  in  clean,  tepid  water, 
without  blue,  changing  the  water  untU  there  is  not  a  trace  of  soap 
left;  shake  each  garment  out  well,  pull  it  into  shape,  hang  out  to 
dry  as  quickly  as  possible,  but  do  not  let  the  things  be  near  a  hot  fire. 
Rapidity  is  the  great  point  in  following  out  these  instructions. 

Napkins  and  handkerchiefs  should  be  folded  but  once, 

pulled  straight,  laid  one  on  top  of  the  other  as  they  are  dampened, 
and  rolled  up  tightly  together  in  a  doubled  square  of  old  muslin  pro- 
vided for  the  purpose. 

Towels  should  be  rolled  the  same  way,  the  fringe  having  first 
been  snapped  out.  The  fringe  should  be  made  quite  damp  before 
this  is  done;  if  dry,  it  is  soon  broken  and  worn  off. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  239 

Clothes  should  always  be  properly  and  carefully  folded, 

for  if  evenly  sprinkled  and  smoothly  rolled  they  will  iron  much  easier. 

Thin  fabrics  should  always  be  rolled  up  in  a  coarse  towel  or 
piece  of  muslin  to  keep  the  outside  from  dr>-ing. 

Clothes  should  be  folded  the  night  before  ironing  day. 

Then  there  is  time  to  attend  to  all  the  little  details,  and,  by  so  doing, 
the  ironing  will  go  on  quickly  and  smoothly. 

An  Easy  Way  to  Sprinkle  Clothes. — First  remove  all  clothes 
from  the  lines  which  will  not  require  ironing.  Then  turn  on  the  hose, 
adjusted  to  a  very  fine  spray.  Spray  the  clothes  lightly.  Take  down 
and  fold,  and  your  clothes  are  ready  to  iron  without  further  handling. 

A  good  laundress  never  sprinkles  her  table  linen.  After 
bleaching  and  drying  in  sunshine  and  sweet  fresh  air,  she  wrings 
tablecloths  and  napkins  out  of  clean  boiling-hot  water,  folds  smoothly 
in  a  sheet  and  lets  them  stand  for  about  an  hour.  Then  after  stretch- 
ing a  tablecloth  with  an  assistant,  or  shaking  out  the  napkins,  one 
at  a  time,  she  irons  them  perfectly  dry. 

Try  sprinkling  your  clothes  with  a  corn  broom,  one  that  has 
worn  satisfactory.  This  moistens  the  clothes  much  more  evenly, 
and  obviates  the  necessity  of  dipping  the  hands  into  water,  which  is 
often  very  disagreeable.  Small  pieces,  such  as  handkerchiefs  and 
napkins,  may  be  easily  and  quickly  sprinkled  by  using  a  machine 
oiler  filled  with  water. 


STARCHING  AND  GLAZING 

Make  boiled  starch  with  a  weak  soapsuds  made  of  white  soap 
instead  of  the  clear  water,  and  you  will  have  no  difficulty  with  its 
sticking. 

The  starch  must  be  strained  through  a  thin  bag  into  a  pan, 
and  diluted  with  water  to  the  proper  consistency.  No  matter  how 
free  from  lumps  the  starch  looks,  the  straining  should  not  be  omitted. 

Linen  may  be  glazed  by  adding  a  teaspoonful  of  salt  and  one 
of  finely-scraped  soap  to  a  pint  of  starch. 

To  starch  black,  navy-blue,  or  other  dark  wash  goods,  use 
gelatine  instead  of  starch,  and  there  will  be  no  streaks.  Pour  one 
quart  of  boiling  water  over  one  teaspoonful  of  gelatine  which  has 
been  soaked  in  a  Httle  cold  water.    Strain  and  use  lukewarm. 


240  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  faint  creamy  tinge  may  be  given  to  starch  simply  by 
omitting  the  bluing,  and  a  deeper  yellow  may  be  secured  by  mixing 
the  starch  with  clear  coffee. 

Ironing  is  made  less  troublesome  and  gives  the  effect  of  the 
laundry  finished  fabric,  by  stirring  a  teaspoonful  of  lard  into  the 
boiling  starch. 

Starched  things  should  be  rather  dry  for  ironing.  If  ironed 
when  too  dry  the  starch  is  really  thrown  away,  as  it  does  not  stiffen 
at  all. 

A  little  powdered  borax  added  to  cold  starch  tends  to  give 
the  linen  extra  stiffness,  and  a  httle  turpentine  put  into  the  boiled 
starch  adds  lustre. 
i 

Tablecloths  and  napkins  should  never  be  starched.  If  they 
are  very  damp  when  ironed,  and  a  hot,  heavy  iron  used,  the  figure 
will  be  brought  out  beautifully,  and  the  linen  will  be  sufficiently 
stiff  to  avoid  a  limp  or  stringy  appearance. 

Some  articles  require  but  the  least  quantity  of  starch; 

others  should  be  made  quite  stiff.  The  starch  in  the  starching  pan 
should  be  made  very  thin,  nearly  starch- water,  at  first;  then  more 
strained  in  as  stiffer  is  needed. 

Gold  water  starch  is  made  in  the  following  proportions:  One 
tablespoonful  of  starch,  small  half  pint  of  water,  four  drops  of 
turpentine,  and  as  much  borax  as  will  lie  on  a  dime,  dissolved  in  a 
tablespoonful  of  boiling  water.  Pour  a  little  water  on  the  starch 
and  mix  it  up  quite  smoothly  with  the  hand,  adding  the  rest  of  the 
water,  turpentine  and  dissolved  borax,  and  taking  care  not  to  pour 
in  the  sediment  of  the  borax.  This  quantity  is  enough  for  four 
collars  and  two  pairs  of  cuffs. 

Polishing  is  rather  a  difficult  thing  to  do  at  home,  but  quite 
possible  with  practice.  Procure  a  polishing  iron;  this  has  a  convex 
bottom.  It  must  be  heated  extremely  hot — hot  enough  to  scorch  if 
allowed  to  rest  on  anything,  and  absolutely  shining  and  guiltless  of 
the  least  speck  of  rust  or  dirt. 

Iron  the  collar  first  lightly  on  the  wrong  side,  then  turn  it  over 
and  iron  lightly  on  the  right  side.  Turn  it  over  again  and  iron  heavily 
on  the  wrong  side,  then  heavily  on  the  right  side.  The  reason  for  this 
is  that  should  you  iron  heavily  first  the  iron  will  stick,  or  should  you 
iron  heavily  on  the  wrong  side  last  the  turnings  at  the  edges  would 
make  a  ridge  on  the  edge  of  the  right  side. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  241 

IRONING 

Iron  the  more  difficult  pieces  first  and  the  simpler  ones  later. 

Always  brush  off  the  stove  clean  before  ironing  and  never  have 
foods  frying  when  ironing  is  being  done. 

Have  a  separate  ironing  sheet  to  be  pinned  around  the  board 
when  ironing  and  removed  when  the  board  is  put  away. 

If  a  large  pan  is  turned  over  the  irons  they  will  retain  their 
heat  more  perfectly. 

Never  use  an  ironing  sheet  that  is  badly  scorched,  for  it  will 
stain  the  clothes. 

Lay  in  the  sunlight  articles  that  have  been  scorched  in 

ironing,  and  the  scorch  will  disappear. 

In  ironing  collars,  iron  the  band  first.  Always  keep  on  ironing 
a  piece  until  it  is  perfectly  dry. 

It  will  be  well  to  wear  old  loose  kid  gloves  when  ironing,  as 

they  will  save  many  callous  spots  on  one's  hands. 

Old  boot  tops,  cut  into  pieces  the  right  size  and  lined,  make  good 
iron  holders.    The  leather  keeps  all  heat  away  from  the  hand. 

Never  put  linen  pieces  through  the  wringer  it  you  would 
avoid  the  little  wrinkles  that  are  so  hard  to  press  out. 

Small  tucks  will  iron  smoother  and  look  bettex  if  ironed  on 
the  wrong  side. 

When  laundering  embroidered  pieces,  iron  smooth  on  right 
side,  then  lay  face  down  on  a  thick  pad  and  iron  on  wrong  side. 

To  iron  napkins:  Iron  perfectly  dry  before  folding;  iron  only 
on  one  side,  to  preserve  the  polish,  and  with  the  selvage,  to  bring 
out  the  pattern. 


242  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Irons  must  be  much  hotter  for  starched  pieces  than  for 
flannels.  For  the  latter  they  must  barely  hiss  under  the  touch  of  a 
wet  finger. 

To  keep  flatirons  clean  and  smooth,  rub  them  first  with  a 
piece  of  wax  tied  in  a  cloth,  and  afterward  scour  them  on  a  paper  or 
cloth  strewn  with  coarse  salt. 

When  the  irons  seem  rough,  they  can  be  scoured  by  rubbing 
them  over  sand  and  then  over  the  beeswax.  When  kerosene  is 
put  in  the  starch,  it  prevents  it  from  sticking  to  the  iron. 

If  you  happen  to  be  out  of  wax  for  your  flatirons,  try  folding 
several  thicknesses  of  newspaper,  saturating  the  top  with  kerosene 
oil,  and  rubbing  the  irons  over  them,  afterwards  rubbing  the  irons 
well  on  a  cloth. 

Irons,  when  taken  from  the  stove,  should  always  be  wiped 
thorouglily,  and,  when  ironing  collars,  cuffs,  or  shirt  bosoms,  a  clean 
cloth  should  be  placed  over  them  until  they  have  been  ironed  partly 
dry. 

Take  your  old  flatirons,  that  you  thought  you  could  not  use 
because  they  did  not  hold  the  heat,  and  put  them  in  the  fire  until 
they  are  red  hot,  then  take  them  and  put  them  in  cold  water  and  let 
stand  until  cold. 

A  heavy  flatiron,  weighing  seven  or  eight  pounds,  will  do  better 
work  if  it  is  passed  over  the  clothes  once  with  a  firm,  steady  pressure 
than  a  lighter  iron  hurriedly  passed  over  the  clothes  two  or  three 
times. 

If  knit  wear,  bath  towels,  etc.,  when  taken  from  the  lines  are 
smoothed  with  the  hands  and  placed  on  the  bars  to  air,  they  will  be 
ready  to  put  away  by  the  time  the  bars  are  needed  for  the  ironed 
clothes. 

Removing  Scorch  from  Garments. — Dissolve  as  much  borax  in 
a  basin  of  water  as  the  water  will  hold  in  solution.  Set  it  on  the 
stove  and  keep  it  hot.  Soak  the  article  to  be  treated  and  lay  it  in  the 
hot  sun.    As  often  as  it  dries  dip  it  again,  until  all  the  stain  is  removed. 

The  ironing-board  should  be  covered  with  a  coarse  blanket, 
over  which  a  doubled  sheet  is  tacked.  The  blanket  for  the  ironing 
table  should  be  folded  at  least  four  times,  and  the  muslin  sheet  that 
covers  it,  twice.  Wide  tapes  should  be  passed  under  the  table  and 
fastened  to  opposite  edges  of  the  cover,  to  keep  it  from  working  into 
rolls  or  wrinkles. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  243 

To  *'  Iron  "  Blankets. — A  very  satisfactory  way  to  "iron  "  newly- 
washed  blankets  is  to  use  a  small  brush  or  whisk-broom,  brushing, 
when  dry,  on  the  line,  not  too  hard,  one  way.  This  raises  the  nap, 
and  they  will  somewhat  have  the  appearance  of  new  ones.  A  good 
beating  with  a  rattan  clothes  beater  also  helps. 

Silk  must  never  be  ironed,  as  the  heat  takes  all  the  life  out  of  it, 
and  makes  it  seem  stringy  and  flabby.  If,  however,  you  wish  to 
press  out  bits  of  silk  and  ribbon  for  fancy  work,  use  an  iron  only 
moderately  hot,  and  place  two  thicknesses  of  paper  between  that 
and  the  silk. 

If  the  canton -flannel  covering  used  under  your  tablecloth  is 
at  times  too  long  for  the  dining-table,  fasten  small  loops  to  each 
corner  of  it,  and  catch  them  with  small  hooks  screwed  on  the  under 
side  of  the  table. 

When  cutting  the  tablecloth,  before  hemming  it,  save  all  the 
pieces,  as  these  ravelings  are  the  best  thread  for  darning  all  napery. 


FLOOR  STAINING 

The  variation  in  color  of  a  stain  should  depend  sirnply  on  its 
dilution  with  turpentine;  it  should  never  be  mixed. 

One  cannot  lay  too  great  stress  on  the  thinning  of  stains,  for 
that  is  the  great  secret  of  staining — that,  and  to  apply  it  evenly 
with  the  brush. 

Cherry  Stain  in  Imitation  of  Old  Mahogany. — Digest  log- 
wood chips  in  vinegar,  or  acetic  acid.for  twenty-four  hours  or  more. 
When  ready  to  use,  heat  the  solution. 

Only  the  floors  should  be  varnished;  the  stain  on  any  wall  is 
prettier  and  softer  without.  For  a  varnish,  hard  oil  finish  is  as 
satisfactory  as  anything,  and  is  the  cheapest.  Put  it  on  just  as  it 
comes  prepared,  and  a  day  and  night  will  dry  it. 

Burnt  sienna  makes  almost  a  perfect  mahogany;  raw  umber, 
greatly  diluted,  makes  a  very  good  stain,  and  very  thin  Vandyke 
brown  on  Georgia  pine  has  a  particularly  pleasing  effect.  On  white 
pine,  timber  is  best. 


244  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Prussian  blue,  applied  just  as  it  comes  prepared,  is  one  of  the 
best  ebony  stains  known. 

Black  walnut  may  be  stained  to  resemble  ebony  by  washing 
the  wood  with  a  solution  of  sulphate  of  iron  two  or  three  times.  Let 
the  wood  dry  thoroughly,  then  apply  two  or  three  coats  of  a  strong 
solution  of  logwood.  Afterward  wipe  the  wood  with  a  wet  sponge 
and  polish  it  with  linseed  oil. 

A  stain  to  resemble  dark  mahogany  can  be  made  by  boiling 
one-half  pound  of  madder  and  two  ounces  of  logwood  chips  in  one 
gallon  of  water.  Brush  it  well  over  the  wood  while  hot.  When  dry, 
brush  over  the  work  with  a  wash  made  of  two  drams  of  pearlash  in 
a  quart  of  water. 

The  only  way  possible  to  keep  a  carpet  clean  is  to  shake  it 
frequently;  therefore,  if  people  could  once  be  persuaded  to  return 
to  the  wholesomeness  of  polished  boards,  with  squares  of  carpets  or 
mats  which  could  be  taken  up  every  week  without  any  trouble,  there 
is  no  doubt  there  would  be  fewer  diseases  of  various  kinds,  all  re- 
sulting from  impure  air,  than  there  are  at  present. 

People  are  often  found  who  object  to  stained  floors  because 
they  imagine  they  soon  wear  shabby  with  constant  traffic ;  but  even 
if  they  do,  this  is  no  great  trouble  to  remedy.  Some  linseed  oil 
rubbed  over  all  the  worn  places,  or  even  over  the  whole,  will  be  found 
to  renovate  it  wonderfully,  whilst  even  if  the  floor  becomes  much 
damaged,  it  can  very  easily  be  stained,  sized,  and  varnished  in  that 
particular  spot,  without  going  over  the  whole. 

For  Staining  a  Parlor  Floor. — 1  gallon  of  linseed  oU,  1  pound  of 
Spanish  brown,  2  pounds  of  powdered  sienna,  1  ounce  of  litharge. 
Mix  all  these  ingredients  into  some  unused  vessel — that  will  not 
leak,  however,  and  can  stand  the  fire.  Set  on  the  top  of  the  stove, 
and  let  it  come  to  a  boil.  Take  off  the  mixture,  and  stir  into  it  one 
pint  of  spirits  of  turpentine,  wliich  will  make  it  dry  rapidly 

Apply  to  the  floor  with  a  broad  paint  brush,  going  up  and  down, 
straight  with  the  grain,  one  plank  at  a  time.  Choose  a  clear,  dry 
day  for  the  task,  so  that  all  the  doors  and  windows  may  be  open,  and 
the  air  have  free  access.  In  six  hours  it  should  be  dry  enough  to  be 
polished  with  a  waxed  cloth  wrapped  around  a  block  fastened  to  the 
end  of  a  long  broomhandle. 

The  best  cleaner  we  know  wipes  over  such  floors  with  a  damp 
cloth  every  morning  early,  and  dry-rubs  with  the  waxed  cloth  only 
once  a  week.  Her  floors  are  of  a  rich  dark  brown  hue,  and  shine 
like  a  mirror.    The  waxing  prevents  every  footstep  showing. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  245 

For  Staining  Halls. — One  peck  of  red  oak  bark,  two  pounds  of 
common  tobacco,  with  a  tablespoonful  of  copperas.  Boil  the  bark 
and  tobacco  together  for  some  time.  When  the  infusion  looks  highly 
colored  stir  in  the  copperas,  which  must  be  kept  out  until  that  time. 
Apply  to  the  floor  with  a  broad  brush.  Wlien  dry,  mop  over  with 
weak  lye.    Wax  and  mop  while  damp. 

To  Polish  Floors. — The  cleanest  and  most  perfectly  polished 
floors  have  no  water  used  on  them.  They  are  simply  rubbed  every 
morning  wth  a  large  flannel  cloth,  which  is  soaked  in  kerosene  oil 
once  in  two  or  three  weeks.  Take  the  cloth,  and  with  a  scrubbing- 
brush  or  stubby  broom  go  rapidly  up  and  down  the  planks — not 
across  them.  After  a  few  rubbings  the  floor  will  assume  a  polished 
appearance  that  is  not  easily  defaced. 

Some  people  prefer  the  old-fashioned  polish  of  beeswax  and 
turpentine  instead  of  varnish.  The  staining  is  done  in  the  same  way 
as  for  the  other  process,  and  whilst  it  is  drying  the  polish  to  finish 
it  may  be  made  in  the  following  inanner:  a  pound  and  a  half  of  bees- 
wax is  mixed  with  five  ounces  of  resin  and  one  pint  of  turpentine  in  a 
basin,  and  then  stood  in  the  oven  for  a  few  minutes,  until  it  is  melted 
to  about  the  consistency  of  thick  cream.  WTien  it  is  cool,  and  the 
staining  perfectly  dry,  it  is  rubbed  rapidly  on  the  floor  with  a  cloth, 
and  if  it  is  too  thick  to  allow  of  this,  it  should  be  diluted  with  a 
little  more  turpentine;  then  it  is  brushed  with  some  force  with  a 
brush,  which  may  be  bought  for  the  piupose,  and  finally  finished  oflE 
with  a  fine  piece  of  baize. 

A  great  deal  more  time  and  labor  have  to  be  bestowed  on  this 
wax  polishing  than  on  the  varnishing  process.  Apart  from  this,  it  is 
not  so  durable,  and  requires  polishing  at  least  once  or  twice  a  week 
to  keep  it  looking  bright,  whereas  the  varnish  need  only  be  washed 
over  with  a  cloth  wrung  out  of  clean  warm  water  to  make  it  look 
perfectly  clean. 

When  heavy  trunks  or  boxes  are  to  be  moved,  in  storeroom  or 
elsewhere,  put  under  one  end  a  piece  of  broom  handle  a  little  longer 
than  the  width  of  the  trunk.  Lift  the  other  end  slightly  from  the 
floor  and  it  will  move  very  easily. 

Marking  a  Trunk. — A  trunk  with  a  label  is  more  easily  identified 
in  a  baggage-room,  and,  if  lost,  is  more  easily  traced ;  avoid  this  latter 
by  nailing  on  a  card  with  the  home  address  before  starting  on  any 
journey;  then  nail  over  it  a  larger  card,  the  address  to  which  you 
are  going.  When  ready  to  start  for  home,  tear  off  card  number  two, 
and  the  trunk  is  labeled  for  the  home  trip. 


246  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


HINTS  ON  PAINT  AND  PAINTING 

Oil  paint  lasts  longer  when  put  on  in  autumn. 

Kitchen  floors  painted  with  boiled  linseed  oil  are  easily  cleaned. 

New  woodwork  requires  one  pound  of  paint  to  the  square  yard 
for  three  coats. 

Paint  brushes  can  be  cleaned  by  washing  in  hot  soda  water 
and  soft  soap. 

White  paint  should  be  cleaned  with  warm  water,  using  a  little 
whiting  on  the  cloth,  then  rinsing  with  clear  water. 

Never  use  any  strong  alkali  soap  or  scouring  powder  on  paint 
or  varnish. 

To  get  rid  of  the  smell  of  paint  in  a  chamber  or  living-room, 
plunge  a  handful  of  hay  into  a  pailful  of  water,  and  let  it  stand  in 
the  room  over-night. 

In  the  hot  summer  months  a  floor  artistically  painted  will 
be  often  found  preferable  to  carpet,  as  aiding  in  the  movement  of  the 
air,  not  harboring  dust,  and  proving  on  the  whole  cooler. 

There  is  little  saved  by  oiling  or  even  painting  a  floor  that  wears 
fast  by  use.  Floors  of  dwellings  or  rooms,  that  are  kept  clean  and 
not  much  used,  may  have  their  appearance  improved  by  oiling  with 
boiled  linseed  oil,  or  painting. 

To  remove  mortar  and  paint  from  windows,  rub  spots  of 
mortar  with  hot  sharp  vinegar;  or,  if  nearly  fresh,  cold  vinegar  will 
loosen  them.  Rub  the  paint  spots  with  turpentine  and  sand.  To 
remove  spots  from  gray  marble  hearths,  rub  with  linseed  oil. 

A  pretty  coloring  for  kitchen  walls  is  the  pink  shade  obtained 
by  dissolving  whiting  in  water,  and  then  adding  enough  permanganate 
of  potash  to  give  it  the  desired  color.  Apply  with  a  whitewash  brush. 
It  looks  well,  and  is  cheap. 

Marks  of  matches  on  a  kitchen  wall  will  disappear  if  rubbed 
first  with  the  cut  surface  of  a  lemon,  then  with  a  clean  cloth  dipped 
in  whiting.  Afterwards  wash  the  surface  with  warm  water  and  soap, 
and  quickly  wipe  with  a  clean  cloth  wrung  out  of  clean  water. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  247 


PAPER  HANGING 

Smoked  ceilings  may  be  cleaned  by  washing  with  cloths  wrung 
out  of  water  in  which  a  small  piece  of  washing  soda  has  been  dis- 
solved. 

Delicate  wall  paper  can  be  cleaned  by  wiping  with  balls  of  dough, 
made  by  kneading  stiff  a  paste  of  four  pounds  of  flour  and  two  pints 
of  cold  water. 

To  Clean  Wall  Paper. — (1)  To  remove  stains  or  marks  where 
people  have  rested  their  heads  on  wall  papers,  mix  pipe-clay  with 
water  to  the  consistency  of  cream,  lay  it  on  the  spot,  and  allow  it  to 
remain  till  the  following  day,  when  it  may  be  easily  removed  with  a 
penknife  or  brush.  (2)  Cut  off  the  crust  of  a  loaf  of  bread  and  rub 
the  wall  with  a  lump  of  the  bread;  this  wUl  remove  a  great  deal 
of  the  dirt. 

Patching  Wall  Paper. — Take  a  remnant  of  new  paper,  pin  it  up 
on  a  flat  surface  well  exposed  to  the  su»light,  and  let  it  fade  until  it 
matches  the  paper  on  the  wall.  Then  cut  it  the  proper  size  to  cover 
the  torn  or  spotted  wall  paper,  and  paste  it  over,  matching  the  figure. 

A  pretty  and  inexpensive  paper  for  a  room  may  be  obtained  by 
buying  the  odd  rolls  left  over  of  various  kinds  and  putting  the  paper 
on  wrong  side  out.  Finished  with  a  cut-out  border,  the  effect  is 
very  pleasing. 

Removing  Old  Wall  Paper. — When  new  wall  paper  is  to  be 
hung,  it  is  usually  better  to  remove  the  old  paper  from  wall  and  ceil- 
ing, if  a  boilerful  of  boiling-hot  water  is  placed  in  the  room  and  all 
doors  and  windows  tightly  closed,  the  steam  will  soften  the  paper, 
making  its  removal  a  simple  matter. 

Paperhangers'  Paste. — First  heat  water  to  boiling,  then  add 
flour,  with  constant  stirring — to  prevent  the  formation  of  lumps  the 
flour  may  be  passed  through  a  sieve,  so  as  to  insure  its  more  equable 
distribution.  Agitation  is  continued  until  the  heat  has  rendered  the 
mass  of  the  desired  consistency,  and,  after  a  few  moments'  further 
boiling,  it  is  ready  for  use.  In  order  to  increase  its  strength,  pow- 
dered resin  in  the  proportion  of  one-sixth  to  one-fourth  of  the  weight 
of  the  flour  is  added.  To  prevent  its  souring,  oU  of  cloves  or  a  few 
drops  of  carbolic  acid  are  added. 


248  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Flour  Paste. — Water,  one  quart;  alum,  ^/i  ounce.  Dissolve,  and 
when  cold  add  flour  to  make  it  of  the  consistence  of  cream. 

Flour  Paste,  Soft. — To  the  above  add  a  little  powdered  resin  and 
a  clove  or  two  before  boiling.  This  will  keep  for  twelve  months. 
When  dry  it  may  be  softened  with  water. 

One  grain  of  sulphate  of  quinine  will  preserve  a  large  bottle  of 
paste,  or  any  other  mounting  solution,  for  an  indefinite  time. 

To  Remove  Mould  from  Walls. — Apply  with  a  whitewash  brush 
a  solution  of  one  pound  of  chloride  of  lime  in  a  pailful  of  water. 

A  convenient  mucilage  can  be  made  from  onion  juice.  A  large 
Spanish  onion  is  boiled  for  a  short  time  and  is  then  pressed,  a  quan- 
tity of  very  adhesive  fluid  resulting.  This  is  extensively  used  in 
some  branches  of  industry  for  fastening  paper  to  tin,  zinc,  glass,  etc., 
and  it  holds  with  a  surprising  tenacity. 

In  filling  cracks  in  plaster,  mix  plaster  of  Paris  with  vinegar 
instead  of  water.  It  will  be  like  a  mass  of  putty.  Push  it  into  the 
cracks  and  smooth  off  with  an  old  case  knife.  The  plaster  will  not 
become  hard  for  half  an  hour  if  mixed  with  vinegar,  but  if  water  is 
used  it  will  become  hard  immediately,  almost  before  you  have  time 
to  use  it. 

In  order  to  make  plaster  set  quickly,  mix  it  with  water  in 
which  a  Uttle  alum  has  been  dissolved.  To  make  it  set  slowly,  mix 
it  with  fine  slaked  lime.  With  respect  to  the  time  of  setting,  it  will 
be  found  that  this  may  be  regulated  by  changing  the  relative  quan- 
tities. 

It  is  often  desirable  to  insert  screws  in  plastered  walls,  and 

it  is  found  hard  to  make  them  hold.  The  hole  made  by  the  screw 
should  be  enlarged  and  the  edges  of  the  plaster  thoroughly  moistened 
with  water.  Then  fill  the  space  with  plaster  of  Paris  and  press  the 
screw  in  the  soft  plaster.  When  the  plaster  has  become  hard  the 
screw  will  be  held  very  firmly. 

Papering  Whitewashed  Walls. — First,  with  a  hoe  or  table  knife, 
scrape  off  all  lose  flakes  of  lime,  and  sweep  down  the  walls.  Then 
wipe  the  walls  with  strong  vinegar,  wetting  them  thoroughly.  When 
dry,  paper  carefully  with  newspapers,  using  cooked  flour  paste. 
If  you  wish  to  paper  the  ceiling,  treat  it  as  the  walls,  and  after  the 
newspaper  covering  has  dried,  hang  the  wall  paper. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  249 


STENCILLING 

Stencilling — the  application  of  a  pattern  by  means  of  brushing 
paint  over  a  perforated  plate — is  largely  used  in  house  decoration 
for  putting  patterns  round  friezes,  cornices,  upon  ceilings,  and  upon 
fabrics  used  as  hangings,  pillows,  tablecloths,  etc.  The  design  is 
cut  out  of  some  thin  material,  such  as  paper  or  zinc,  a  pigment  is 
brushed  over  the  plate  with  short  stiff  brushes  made  expressly  for 
this  purpose,  and  the  color  passing  through  the  stencil  plate  on  to 
the  surface  of  the  work  leaves  an  impression.  The  perforated  plate 
or  paper  used  for  this  purpose  is  called  a  stencil.  Stencils  and  the 
impressions  made  with  them  are  shown  on  page  250.  In  the  sten- 
cils, the  cut-away  parts  are  indicated  in  white;  in  the  impression, 
the  stencilled  parts  are  indicated  in  black. 

The  word  stencil  has  also  been  applied  to  a  sheet  of  paper  in 
which  is  cut  a  pattern  not  intended  for  reproduction,  but  as  an 
ornament  in  itself  to  be  superimposed  on  the  work. 


Diagram  Showing  Ties  in  Stencil  of  Letter  "  B." 


B 


Ties  in  a  Stencil. — The  use  and  value  of  stencil  ties  are  illus- 
trated by  the  letter  B.  In  making  a  stencil  of  this  letter,  if  it  were 
cut  in  the  plate  exactly  as  shown  by  C,  an  impression  exactly  like 
that  illustrated  by  D  would  be  obtained.  The  outline  would  be 
correct,  but  the  portions  of  the  letter  enclosed  in  the  loops  would 
be  merely  patches  of  color  minus  all  dctaU.  To  produce  the  im- 
pression desired,  the  portion  enclosed  in  the  loops  would  have  to  be 
tied  to  the  rest  of  the  plate  as  indicated  by  E,  and  then  a  stencilled 
letter,  similar  to  that  illustrated  by  F,  would  be  obtained.  Four  bars, 
it  will  be  noted,  hold  the  plate  together,  but  in  such  stencils  as  the 
one  under  consideration  these  would  not  mar  their  beauty.  The  dia- 
gram indicates  merely  tlie  principle,  not  a  pattern  letter. 


250  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


Stencils  and  the  impressions  made  with  them. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


251 


Materials  for  Stencils. — Stencils  may  be  cut  in  thin  metal,  sheet 
zinc,  lead,  tinfoil,  or  prepared  paper.  Zinc  is  a  rather  difficult  metal 
for  the  inexpert  to  cut  with  a  knife,  but  sheet  lead  cuts  easily  and 
cleanly  and  could  be  recommended  if  it  were  not  for  its  cost  and  the 
difficulty  experienced  in  repairing  broken  ties. 

Sheet  lead  lies  very  flat  to  the  wall,  and  where  water  color  and 
distemper  are  the  decorating  medium,  has  certain  advantages  over 
paper. 

Most  decorators  use  cartridge  paper  with  or  without  a  pre- 
liminary coat  of  shellac,  varnish,  or  knotting.  When  the  design  has 
been  cut,  the  paper  must  be  given  one  or  two  coats  of  varnish,  for 
unless  thus  toughened  it  will  not  stand  the  necessary  wear  and  tear. 


Stencil-cutting  Knives. 


Dipping  paper  stencils  in  shellac  varnish  so  as  to  strengthen 
them  has  the  disadvantage  that  the  paper  is  stiffened  so  much  that 
it  buckles  and  turns  up  at  the  edges,  it  thus  being  impossible  to  keep 
the  stencil  fiat  when  working;  the  brush  catches  on  the  projecting 
edges  and  makes  the  design  ragged  instead  of  sharp.  For  this  reason, 
some  decorators  advise  coating  with  umber  paint  containing  as  the 
vehicle  three  parts  of  linseed  oil  and  one  part  of  turps,  finishing 
with  a  coat  of  zinc-white  paint,  which  will  prevent  sticlong. 

When  cutting  stencils,  do  not  press  heavily  on  the  knife,  or  the 
surface  of  the  plate  glass  will  be  badly  scratched,  and  the  blade  wil 
soon  lose  its  edge.  Sharpen  the  knife  at  short  intervals,  and,  when 
using  it,  hold  it  slightly  on  the  slant,  as  in  that  position  it  becomes 
dulled  less  rapidly  than  when  held  straight.  This  method  of  holding 
the  knife  enables  the  operator  to  go  round  the  curves  with  ease;  but 
the  knife  must  have  a  good  point,  if  the  curves  are  to  be  cut  true 
and  dear. 


252  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

The  knife  must  be  extremely  sharp  if  good  work  is  to  be  pro- 
duced: for  the  cleaner  the  cuts,  the  more  effective  is  the  stencil. 
The  knife,  indeed,  must  be  cut  through  the  material  at  one  stroke; 
the  necessity  for  having  an  oilstone  handy  will  therefore  be  under- 
stood. 

To  produce  a  stencil  plate,  it  is  necessary  first  to  draw  the 
design  on  thin  paper,  and  then  to  transfer  it  to  the  paper,  zinc,  lead, 
or  cardboard,  out  of  whichthe  stencil  is^to  be  cut. 

Some  workers  paste  the  drawing  to  the  plate,  when,  of  course, 
the  drawing  can  only  be  used  once,  as  it  is  irretrievably  spoiled  when 
cut. 

Even  when  the  design  is  produced  in  two  colors,  and  two 

plates  have  to  be  cut  for  one  pattern,  the  whole  design  should 
preferably  be  traced  complete  on  one  piece  of  tracing  paper.  The 
respective  portions  can  afterwards  be  easily  transferred  to  the  plates 
by  means  of  a  sheet  of  black  transfer  paper,  whilst  the  keys  can  also 
be  accurately  placed  in  their  proper  positions. 

When  a  tie  in  a  paper  stencil  is  accidentally  cut  through,  glue 
over  it  a  small  piece  of  stout  paper,  which  will  be  found  quite  strong 
enough  unless  the  cut  is  very  bad. 

To  repair  a  torn  paper  stencil,  some  workers  draw  the  torn 
edges  together  with  needle  and  thread,  but  this  method  is  not  always 
satisfactory.  A  better  plan  is  thorouglily  to  clean  the  injured  part 
and  to  glue  pieces  of  thin  rag  on  each  side;  when  dry,  the  edges  are 
trimmed  and  the  whole  is  coated  first,  with  umber  paint  made  with 
linseed  oil  and  turps  and  then  with  zinc- white  paint;  several  coats 
are  desirable. 

Broad  Margins. — When  cutting  stencils,  leave  a  rather  broad 
margin  round  the  design  to  prevent  the  color  brush  slipping  off  the 
plate  and  smudging  the  surface  that  is  being  decorated. 

When  a  pattern  is  continuous,  and  has  to  be  regularly  repeated 
time  after  time,  it  is,  for  the  sake  of  the  general  effect,  absolutely 
necessary  that  the  impressions  shall  be  joined  so  accurately  that 
not  the  slightest  unevenness  is  left  to  show  where  the  joints  occur. 
With  this  object,  as  already  briefly  mentioned,  a  key,  or  a  number 
of  guiding  holes,  must  be  cut  in  the  plate. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


253 


^^i 


i  111  '^C I  i 


Bird  Panel  Stencil  and  Impression. 


254  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

As  to  tools,  the  pattern  may  be  stencilled  either  with  the  special 
hog-hair  stencilling  brush,  or,  in  the  case  of  distemper  work,  with 
a  sponge.  As  in  using  a  sponge  the  colors  get  on  the  fingers,  it 
is  only  serviceable  in  distemper  work,  and  a  brush  must  be  used  for 
oil  paints.  Stenciling  brushes  are  made  in  about  a  dozen  sizes, 
varying  from  about  ^  in.  to  1 5^  in.  in  diameter. 

A  more  varied  efifect  can  be  produced  with  a  sponge  than 
with  a  brush.  Well  saturate  the  sponge  in  cold  water,  and  then 
squeeze  out  as  much  water  as  possible.  The  color  should  be  mixed 
with  size  to  the  consistency  of  butter — that  is  to  say,  in  a  cake  hard 
enough  to  keep  together,  but  not  so  hard  as  not  to  give  up  its 
color  to  the  sponge. 


Metal-boimd  Stencilling  Brush. 

The  colors  should  be  in  soft  cakes  on  a  board;  the  edge  of  the 
sponge  can  then  be  rubbed  a  few  times  over  the  cake  of  color;  then, 
holding  the  stencil  well  down  upon  the  work  and  pressing  the  fingers 
upon  the  part  operated  upon,  the  sponge  can  be  worked  round  the 
opening  in  the  stencil. 

It  should  be  rubbed  lightly  and  with  a  circular  motion,  not  straight 
across,  but  in  the  direction  of  the  flow  of  the  ornament,  and  from  the 
broad  part  of  the  stencil  to  the  opening,  taking  care  that  the  sponge  is 
not  too  moist  and  not  so  full  of  color  as  to  rub  underneath  the  pattern. 

For  all  stencilling  good  use  must  be  made  of  chalk  line  and 
measurement.  In  working,  the  stencil  should  be  carefully  watched 
so  that  no  deviation  is  possible.  The  stencU  should  fit  accurately 
and  be  placed  exactly;  an  error  in  working  an  all-over  pattern  in- 
creases in  compound  ratio. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  255 

Striking  out  is  most  important.  A  line  should  be  struck  down 
the  center  of  the  room  or  the  panels,  as  the  case  may  be.  Then  take 
the  measurement  of  the  width  of  the  stencil  plate  or  of  the  repeat  of 
the  pattern,  and  strike  out  horizontal  and  vertical  lines  all  over 
where  the  pattern  goes.  The  squares  thus  given  will  then  prevent 
any  gradual  deviation  whilst  proceeding  with  the  stencilling,  as 
would  otherwise  be  very  liable  to  occur. 

A  small  plain  stile  should  be  set  out  in  the  angles  of  the  room, 
running  along  the  top  of  dado,  or  skirting,  or  cornice,  so  as  to  avoid 
the  inaccuracies  which  always  exist  in  rooms,  and  so  present  a  per- 
fect oblong  for  the  reception  of  the  continuous  stencil. 

The  angles  of  rooms  are  but  seldom  accurate,  and  so  the 

pattern,  when  it  comes  into  the  comer  of  the  room,  gives  a  great 
deal  of  trouble,  if  the  precaution  mentioned  is  not  taken. 

Plumb  a  line  down  the  comer  of  each  side  of  the  room  which 
will  take  in  the  inaccuracy  of  the  angles;  this  will  give  the  width 
allowable  for  stiles.  Of  course,  the  stencil  can  fill  up  all  the  room 
if  required,  but  it  gets  broken  in  the  angles,  so  necessitating  much 
making  good,  the  result  being  generally  imperfect. 

The  stile  adds  to  the  accuracy  and  effect  of  the  diaper;  it  allows 
for  the  give-and-take  princijjle,  not  only  to  the  comers  of  the  room, 
but  to  the  cornice  and  the  wall  as  well,  helping  to  adjust  any  differ- 
ence which  may  exist  between  the  plaster  cornice  and  the  floor.  The 
decorator  should  be  always  on  the  lookout  to  make  things  square. 


WHITEWASH  AND  WHITEWASHING 

Remove  whitewash  spots  by  instantly  washing  in  strong  vinegar. 

Whitewash  is  the  cheapest  of  all  paints,  and  for  certain  pur- 
poses the  best. 

Lime,  which  is  the  basis  of  whitewash,  makes  a  very  sanitary 
coating,  and  is  probably  to  be  preferred  for  cellars  and  the  interior 
of  outbuildings. 

_  Brown  whitewash  that  will  not  wash  off  easily:     Add  brown 
sienna  to  the  whitewash  in  order  to  produce  the  desired  color,  and 

mix  with  alum  or  size. 


256  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

If  one  pint  of  wheat  flour  is  made  into  a  thin  cooked  paste  and 
added  to  each  pailful  of  whitewash,  the  whitewash  will  not  rub  ofl 
easily.  Add  to  this  a  small  quantity  of  carbolic  acid  and  it  will 
purify  the  cellars  and  dairies  where  used,  keeping  down  all  musty 
odors  that  might  taint  the  milk  and  butter. 

Recipe  for  Mixing  Whitewash  so  It  Won't  Wash  Off. — Slake 

one-half  bushel  lime  with  boiling  water,  keeping  it  covered  during 
the  process,  strain  and  add  one  peck  salt  dissolved  in  warm  water 
and  three  pounds  rice  flour  boiled  in  water  to  a  thin  paste,  one  half 
pound  Spanish  whiting,  and  one  pound  clear  glue  dissolved  in  warm 
water.    AUow  it  to  stand  several  days  and  apply  hot. 

Whitewash  for  Outhouses  and  Fences. — The  ingredients  are 
unslacked  lime,  wliite  vitriol,  and  salt.  The  proportions  are  one 
bushel  of  lime  (which  must  be  slacked  with  hot  water),  two  and  a 
half  pounds  of  white  vitriol,  and  four  pounds  of  salt.  This  colors 
white. 

If  you  prefer  a  drab  color,  add  half  a  pound  of  French  blue  and 
two  pounds  of  Indian  red.  The  advantage  of  this  recipe  is  its  cheap- 
ness and  durability.  The  whole  cost  of  giving  two  coats  of  paint 
that  will  wear  like  iron,  to  seven  thousand  square  feet  of  wall  or 
plank,  is  one  dollar  and  ten  cents. 


DISINFECTANTS  IN  THE  HOUSE 

Heat  and  pure  air  are  the  best  of  all  disinfectants.  Where  other 
agents  are  necessary,  the  following  Hst  will  be  found  useful. 

It  will  be  well  to  bum  pine  tar  occasionally  in  a  sick  room,  as 
it  is  an  excellent  disinfectant,  and  it  also  induces  sleep. 

Cistern  or  any  impure  water  may  be  purified  by  charcoal  put 

in  a  bag  and  hung  in  the  water. 

Equal  parts  of  carbolic  acid  and  tincture  of  green  soap  make  a 
good  disinfectant  wash  for  the  hands  and  can  be  used  fuU  strength 
without  injury. 

A  simple  disinfecting  lamp  may  be  easily  made  by  burning 
bisulphide  of  carlx)n  in  a  lamp  after  the  manner  of  an  oil  or  a  spirit 
lamp.     Caution:  the  bisulphide  is  highly  inflammable. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  257 

Chloride  of  lime  is  sufficiently  well  known  not  to  need  special 
mention  here,  except  to  say  that  its  value  is  greatly  over-rated.  The 
addition  of  strong  vinegar,  or  dilute  sulphuric  acid  (oil  of  vitriol) 
materially  increases  its  efficacy. 

Carbon-sulphide  is  recommended  by  some  entomologists  as 
a  substitute  for  hydrocyanic-acid  gas.  It  being  extremely  inflamma- 
ble, or  explosive,  renders  it  less  available  and  more  than  counteracts 
the  danger  to  human  beings  from  the  use  of  hydrocyanic-acid  gas. 

Chloride  of  zinc  m.ay  be  used  instead  of  copperas,  and  has  the 
advantage  of  neither  bleaching  nor  staining  white  or  colored  fabrics 
with  which  it  may  come  in  contact.  On  this  account,  it  is  especially 
useful  in  disinfecting  clothing,  bedding,  etc. 

Of  the  large  number  of  proprietary  preparations  sold  for 
disinfecting  purposes,  it  is  not  necessary  to  treat  in  this  connection. 
If  further  information  is  needed,  consult  your  sanitary  officer  or 
family  physician. 

Carbolic  acid  and  the  coal-tar  disinfectants  are  only  ad- 
missible for  outdoor  use,  on  account  of  their  odor.  Mi.xed  with 
gypsum,  they  are  valuable  around  stables,  outbuildings,  etc.  A  gill 
of  carbolic  acid  in  a  pailful  of  water  may  be  used  to  flush  sewers, 
drains,  etc.  and  in  privy-vaults  and  catch-basins. 

Hydrocyanic-acid  gas  in  houses  is  successful  against  bedbugs, 
cockroaches,  moths,  ants,  fleas,  house  flies  and  other  soft-bodied  in- 
sects; mice  and  rats  are  killed  by  its  use,  it  having  the  effect  of 
causing  the  rodents  to  rush  from  their  holes  into  the  open,  preventing 
the  annoyance  of  having  dead  mice  or  rats  in  the  walls  or  flooring. 

To  Use  Hydrocyanic-Acid  Gas. — One  fluid  ounce  of  commercial 
sulphuric  acid  (about  1.84  sp.  gr.,  =  66°  Baume)  is  diluted  ^\dth 
two  fluid  ounces  of  water,  to  increase  the  bulk  of  the  Liquid  and 
insure  complete  chemical  action,  and  one  ounce  of  high  grade  (98 
per  cent.)  cyanide  of  potassium  must  be  used  for  every  100  cubic 
feet  of  space. 

Copperas  can  be  used  almost  anywhere  and  is  cheap  and  effi- 
cient. Especially  useful  in  privies,  etc.  Ten  pounds  in  a  pailfid  of 
water;  a  teacupful  in  bed-pans,  chambers,  etc.,  after  being  used.  A 
quart  a  day  in  privies,  urinals,  etc.,  for  ordinary  purposes.  In  dan- 
gerous diseases,  add  from  a  pint  to  a  quart  to  each  discharge.  The 
contents  of  a  privy  six  feet  in  diameter  and  twelve  feet  deep  will 
require  twenty  pounds  of  copperas  to  disinfect  it. 


258  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

A  woman  whose  house  telephone  is  necessarily  used  by  many 
people  keeps  at  hand  a  bottle  of  carbolic  acid  and  a  box  of  little 
squares  of  white  clean  cloth.  Before  using  the  'phone  she  wets  one 
of  the  squares  with  the  solution  and  wipes  the  mouthpiece.  This  is 
an  easy  thing  to  do,  and  may  be  the  means  of  saving  much  mis- 
fortune. 

Disinfection  by  Means  of  Sulphur — The  room  to  be  disin- 
fected should  previously  be  well  scrubbed  with  soap  and  water,  not 
merely  for  the  sake  of  cleanliness,  but  also  because  it  is  found  that 
the  action  of  the  sulphur  is  facilitated  by  moisture.  All  the  windows, 
doors,  and  ventilating  apertures  should  be  closed  before  the  sulphur 
is  ignited,  and  not  be  opened  for  four-and-twenty  hours. 

Charcoal  is  one  of  the  best  deodorants,  absorbing  large  vol- 
umes of  gases.  May  be  used  in  powder,  mixed  with  lime  or  gypsum, 
and  sprinkled  freely  in  malodorous  localities.  Suspended  in  a  basket, 
in  cisterns,  meat-safes,  dairies,  etc.,  it  tends  to  keep  the  contents 
from  absorbing  foul  odors.  Charcoal  should  be  frequently  reheated 
to  drive  off  the  absorbed  gases  and  renew  its  efficiency. 

Ouicklime  and  gypsum  are  good  absorbents,  and  may  be  used 
advantageously  in  damp  places,  cellars,  gutters,  etc.  They  should 
not,  however,  be  used  in  drains,  catch-basins,  sewers,  soil-pipes,  etc. ; 
nor  where  they  are  liable  to  be  washed  into  such  places,  lest  they, 
by  decomposing  soap-water,  form  lime-soap  and  obstruct  the  pas- 
sages. 

A  convenient  mode  of  burning  sulphur  in  a  large  apartment 
is  by  means  of  a  workman's  "devil" — i.e.,  a  bucket  with  perforated 
sides  and  bottom.  This  is  filled  with  shavings  and  coke  or  coal,  and, 
owing  to  the  thorough  draught,  soon  gives  a  good  fire.  The  sulphur 
is  put  with  the  coals,  and  a  large  kettle  placed  on  the  top  of  the 
"devil,"  by  which  means  steam  is  diffused  through  the  air,  and 
the  requisite  moisture  obtained.  By  some  the  quantity  required  is 
reckoned  at  half  an  ounce  for  every  ten  cubic  feet  of  space. 

There  is  but  one  true  disinfectant — viz.,  fire.  The  majority 
of  so-called  disinfectants  are  simply  deodorants.  The  idea  that 
tobacco-smoke  or  the  odor  of  camphor  is  destructive  of  contagion 
is  still  extensively  held,  tliough  it  is  simply  absurd.  A  true  disin- 
fectant is  a  substance  that  will  kill  the  germ  or  living  particle  in  which 
tlic  contagion  principle  resides,  or  through  which  it  is  conveyed. 
Of  true  disinfectants,  heat  is  the  most  reliable,  though  others  are 
not  to  be  despised,  such  as  carbolic  acid,  clilorine,  and  sulphuric 
acid  gas. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


259 


How  to  Fumigate. — Before  operating,  the  house  must  be  va- 
cated. It  is  not  necessary  to  remove  any  of  the  furniture  or  belong- 
ings unless  of  polished  nickel  or  brass,  which  may  tarnish  some. 
Liquids  or  moist  foods,  meats,  larder  supplies  that  are  not  dry  and 
might  absorb  the  gas,  should  be  removed  from  the  house.  All  fires 
should  be  put  out;  the  gas  will  not  bum  under  ordinary  conditions, 
but  risks  should  not  be  taken. 

According  to  L.  O.  Howard  of  the  Bureau  of  Entomology  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  the  cubic  contents  of  each  room  on  each  floor  should 
be  carefully  computed  and  a  tabular  statement,  such  as  that  given 
below,  prepared,  designating  for  each  floor  and  the  different  rooms 
the  capacity  and  the  amount  of  acid,  cyanide,  and  water  needed. 


Table  Designating  Rooms,  Capacity,  and  Amounts  of 
Chemicals. 


Floor 

Room 

Cubic  feet 

Water 

Sulphuric 
Acid 

Cyanide  of 
Potassiimi 

Fourth 

Third 

Second 

First 

Basement. . . 

Garret .  .  . 

Front 

Middle... 

Back 

Front 

Middle... 

Back 

Parlor.... 
Middle... 
Dining .  .  . 
Servant's . 

HaU 

Kitchen . . 

17,000 
2,800 
1,400 
2,200 
15,500 
2,200 
2,000 
14,400 
2,400 
2,900 
1,200 
2,000 
1,800 

Fl.  oz. 
140 

56 

28 

44 
110 

44 

40 

88 

48 

58 

24 

40 

36 

Fl.  oz. 
70 
28 
14 
22 
55 
22 
20 
44 
24 
29 
12 
20 
18 

Avd.  oz. 
70 
28 
14 
22 
55 
22 
20 
44 
24 
29 
12 
20 
18 

Total .... 

37,800 

756 

378 

378 

'  The  charges  for  these  rooms  should  be  halved  and  set  off  in  two  vessels. 

The  general  directions  for  treatment  may  be  summarized  as 
follows:  (1)  Prepare  tabular  statement  designating  room  capacity 
and  amount  of  chemicals  for  each  compartment,  and  secure  the 
chemicals  and  vessels  for  generating  the  gas.  (2)  Arrange  for  the 
opening  of  doors  and  windows  from  the  outside  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  fumigation,  and  close  all  registers,  fire-places,  and  other  open- 
ings. Do  necessary  calking,  and  remove  carpets  and  rugs,  and  moist 
food  material,  and  any  metallic  objects  which  are  likely  to  be  tar- 


260  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

nished.  (3)  Place  the  generating  vessels  in  each  room  with  a  thick 
carpeting  of  old  newspapers  under  each.  (4)  Break  up  the  cyanide 
out  of  doors  and  place  it  in  thin  paper  sacks  containing  a  pound  or 
a  half  pound  each,  suited  to  the  amounts  to  be  used  in  the  different 
rooms.  (5)  Measure  into  each  of  the  generating  jars  the  proper 
amount  of  water,  and  afterwards  add  the  acid  slowly  in  the  proper 
amount  to  each  of  the  jars.  (6)  Take  the  cyanide  in  bags  in  a  basket 
and  place  the  bags  to  the  proper  amount  alongside  the  generating 
jars  in  each  room.  (7)  Start  at  the  top  of  the  house  and  place  the 
cyanide  gently,  so  as  not  to  spatter,  into  each  jar,  and  quickly  leave 
the  room.  As  soon  as  the  upper  floor  is  finished  go  to  the  next  lower, 
and  pass  in  this  manner  from  floor  to  floor  until  tlie  basement  is 
reached  and  exit  is  made  through  the  lower  door.  If  two  persons 
work  together  in  this  operation,  they  should  both  be  on  the  same 
floor  together,  taking  different  rooms.  (8)  The  following  day,  or 
after  the  completion  of  the  fumigation,  open  the  windows  and  doors 
from  the  outside,  and  let  the  house  ventilate  for  an  hour  before 
entering  it.  (9)  After  the  house  is  thoroughly  ventilated  and  the 
odor  of  the  gas  has  disappeared,  the  jars  should  be  emptied  in  a 
safe  place,  preferably  through  the  sewer  trap,  and  thoroughly  and 
repeatedly  washed  before  being  used  for  any  household  purpose. 

'  The  Cyanide  and  Gas  a  Deadly  Poison. — In  the  use  of  this  gas 
for  household  fumigation  it  must  not  be  lost  sight  of  for  a  single 
instant  that  one  is  dealing  with  one  of  the  most  poisonous  substances 
known,  and  that  the  accidental  eating  of  a  small  portion  of  cyanide 
will  necessarily  be  fatal,  and  that  the  inhalation  of  a  few  breaths  of 
the  gas  will  asphyxiate,  and,  if  rescue  be  not  prompt,  also  have  a 
fatal  termination.  It  is  much  better,  therefore,  if  fumigation  be 
contemplated,  to  put  the  work  in  the  hands  of  someone  who  has  had 
experience,  if  such  a  person  be  available;  if  not,  to  carefully  consider 
all  the  recommendations  and  precautions  and  become  thoroughly  fa- 
miliarized with  them  before  undertaking  the  experiment. — (Dept. 
of  Agriculture  Btilletin.) 


FLEAS 


Where  there  are  comparatively  few  fleas  in  a  house  or  a  given 
room,  place  a  white  cloth,  like  a  pillow  case  (according  to  L.  O. 
Howard  of  the  Bureau  of  Entomology),  in  the  middle  of  the  floor. 
Tlie  fleas,  attracted  by  the  white  color,  will  jump  on  the  cloth.  Then 
with  a  basin  of  water,  kneel  down  and  with  the  wetted  finger  pick 
up  the  fleas  one  after  the  other  and  place  them  in  the  water. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  261 

Or  fill  a  glass  three-fourths  with  water,  on  top  of  which  pour 
about  an  inch  of  olive  oil,  then  place  a  night-float  in  the  center  of 
the  oil.  Place  the  tumbler  in  the  center  of  a  soup  plate  filled  with 
strong  soapsuds.  The  wick  should  be  lighted  when  retiring,  the 
soup-plate  and  soapsuds  placed  on  the  floor. 

In  bams,  a  large  milk  pan  can  be  used  the  same  way  as  the  soup 

plate,  while  a  lantern  and  kerosene,  instead  of  soapsuds  and  the 
night-light,  may  be  utilized. 

If  you  do  not  desire  to  be  troubled  by  fleas,  do  not  keep  dogs 
or  cats. 

Flea  larvae  will  not  develop  successfully  in  situations  where  they 
are  likely  to  be  disturbed.  The  overrunning  of  houses  in  summer 
during  the  absence  of  the  occupants  may  be  ascribed  to  the  develop- 
ment of  a  brood  of  fleas  in  the  dust  of  the  cracks  of  the  floor  from 
eggs  which  have  been  dropped  by  a  pet  cat  or  dog.  The  use  of 
carpets  or  straw  mattings  favors  their  development,  the  slender 
and  active  larvae  penetrating  these  forms  of  covering,  and  finding 
abiding  places  in  some  crack  where  they  are  not  lilcely  to  be  disturbed. 
It  is  not  difficult  to  destroy  the  cat  or  dog  flea  in  its  larval  stages, 
but  the  extreme  activity  and  hardiness  of  the  adult  fleas  render  any 
but  the  most  strenuous  measures  unsuccessful.  The  ordinary  reme- 
dies (pyretheum,  buhach,  benzine)  are  ineffectual,  and  only  taking 
up  the  floor  matting  and  washing  the  floor  with  hot  soapsuds  will 
be  found  effectual.  Baker  has  listed  forty-seven  valid  species  of 
fleas  which  attack  all  sorts  of  warm-blooded  animals.  The  cat  or 
dog  flea  may  be  distinguished  from  the  so-called  human  flea  (Piilex 
irritans)  by  the  fact  that  the  latter  species  does  not  possess  the 
strong  recurved  spines  on  the  margin  of  the  head. — (U,  S.  Bureau 
of  Entomology.) 


THE  CARE  OF  THE  CELLAR  AND  ITS 
CONTENTS 

Keep  an  empty  cask  bunged  up  tight  to  keep  it  sweet. 

Tar  casks  slightly  on  the  inside  to  assist  in  preserving  salt  meat. 

Moldy  walls  are  cleaned  by  a  weak  solution  of  chloride  of  lime. 

The  windows  of  a  cellar  should  be  opened  at  night  and  closed 
in  the  daytime:  in  that  way  a  cellar  will  remain  dry  and  healthful 
for  the  household. 


262  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Two  thicknesses  of  newspaper  make  a  good  lining  for  apple 
barrels. 

Do  not  forget  that  fresh  lime  absorbs  the  moisture  and  will 
freshen  a  cellar.    It  is  also  said  it  will  prevent  malarial  troubles. 

To  sweeten  a  sour  cask  that  has  held  pickles,  vinegar,  or  wine, 
wash  it  with  lime  water,  or  throw  in  hot  charcoal  and  ashes.  Add 
water  and  let  the  cask  soak. 

To  remove  odors  in  a  cask,  wash  with  sulphuric  acid  and  rinse 
with  clear  water,  or  whitewash  with  quicklime,  or  char  the  inside 
with  a  hot  iron.  In  all  cases  rinse  thorouglily  with  scalding  water 
before  using. 

If  a  cellar  has  a  damp  smell  and  cannot  be  thoroughly  ven- 
tilated, pans  of  charcoal  set  on  the  floor,  shelves,  or  ledges  will  make 
the  air  pure  and  sweet.  If  a  large  basketful  of  charcoal  be  placed 
in  a  damp  cellar  where  milk  is  kept,  there  will  be  no  danger  of  its 
becoming  tainted. 

To  minimize  dust  from  furnaces,  wet  the  ashes  by  throwing 
water  on  them  from  a  dipper  before  taking  them  up.  Or  sprinkle 
them  with  water  from  a  watering  pot.  Or  sprinkle  over  them  wet 
sawdust.  This  also  prevents  dust  from  rising  into  the  upper  rooms 
through  the  registers. 

Cellars  that  have  contained  potatoes,  carrots,  turnips,  cab- 
bage or  other  vegetables  during  the  winter  should  be  thoroughly 
cleaned  and  then  disinfected  by  sprinkling  the  floors,  walls,  and  bins 
that  held  the  vegetables  with  water  that  contains  one-half  pound 
of  chloride  of  Ume  to  the  gallon. 

Apples  and  potatoes  should  never  be  kept  in  the  same  cellar, 
or,  if  this  is  unavoidable,  the  potatoes  should  be  kept  in  the  warmest 
part  of  the  cellar,  and  the  barrels  of  apples,  well  headed  up,  near 
the  windows,  where,  on  days  when  the  air  outside  is  only  a  few 
degrees  above  freezing,  they  can  be  treated  to  a  cold  breeze  from  the 
open  windows,  while  at  the  same  time  the  atmosphere  in  the  part 
of  the  cellar  where  the  potatoes  are  kept  does  not  fall  below  forty 
degrees. 

CARE  OF  CANARY  BIRDS 

In  order  to  secure  health  and  comfort  to  your  birds,  their  cages 
must  be  kept  scrupulously  clean. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  263 

Painted  cages  are  bad  for  birds,  as  the  paint  is  sure  to  be  picked 
off  and  will  slowly  poison  the  bird. 

Never  leave  the  bathing-dish  in  the  cage,  for  the  birds  drink 
from  it  and  soon  become  sick. 

The  cage  of  nesting  birds  should  be  placed  on  a  solid  support 
in  a  room  of  even  temperature,  out  of  drafts  and  in  plenty  of  light. 

Brass  cages  are  best,  and  can  be  kept  bright  by  washing  with 
cold  water  once  a  week,  wiping  dry,  wire  by  wire,  with  a  linen  cloth. 
Never  put  hot  water  on  the  cage. 

Sand  is  better  than  paper  for  cages.  Use  clean  river  sand  and 
put  it  half  an  inch  thick  on  the  tray.  They  require  the  sand  to 
facilitate  digestion.    Sea  sand  must  never  be  used. 

Do  not  make  the  error  of  thinking  that  a  bird  sings  better  in  a 
tiny  cage  than  in  a  large  one ;  granted,  he  sings  more,  but  it  is  not  a 
contented  song. 

Mated  birds  do  not  lose  the  beauty  of  their  voices;  on  the  con- 
trary, their  voices  are  richer  and  fuller  if  they  have  been  kept  clean 
during  incubation. 

Canaries  may  be  mated  and  bred  whenever  there  are  no  ex- 
tremes of  weather;  from  February  untU  June  and  from  September 
until  November  are  excellent  times.  If  strong  singers  are  wanted, 
the  mother  bird  should  be  older  than  the  father. 

Water  for  bathing  should  be  regularly  supplied  every  morning, 
at  as  nearly  the  same  hour  as  possible.  Allow  the  bath-tub  to  remain 
only  long  enough  for  the  birds  to  wash  very  soon. 

If  you  have  a  large  cage,  you  will  have  less  music,  for  the 
canary  will  be  taken  up  with  the  amusement  of  hopping  about  and 
forget  his  song. 

The  cage  should  be  kept  in  a  warm  place.  A  temperature  of 
some  sixty  degrees  is  about  right.  They  should  have  fresh  air,  but  a 
draft  is  fatal  to  voice  and  health.  Most  bird  ailments  originate  in 
a  cold. 

Birds  need  good  air  as  much  as  good  food,  and  often  suffer 
exceedingly  for  want  of  it,  especially  in  the  cold  season  when  they 
are  kept  shut  up  in  a  close,  unventilated  room.  They  are  usually 
hung  too  near  the  top  of  the  room  for  comfort. 


264  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Probably  more  birds  suffer  and  die  from  want  of  fresh,  pure 
air  than  from  any  other  cause.  The  cage  should  hang  where  the  sun 
can  lie  in  it  a  part  of  the  day,  but  a  bird  should  never  be  exposed 
to  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  with  no  chance  of  shelter.  The  cage 
should  be  suspended  by  a  spring,  as  it  lessens  the  shock  as  they 
jump  from  perch  to  perch. 

The  green  food  given  must  be  of  the  most  delicate  nature,  the 
tender  inside  leaves  of  celery,  cabbage,  or  lettuce. 

Sugar,  sweets,  or  cake  should  not  be  given  to  birds.  Anything 
sticky  or  pasty  they  cannot  digest. 

Cuttle-bone  should  be  kept  in  the  cage  at  all  times.  A  red  pepper 
hung  in  the  cage  is  not  only  strengthening,  but  improves  the  color 
of  the  feathers. 

Fine  gravel  is  a  necessity,  and  should  be  spread  on  the  floor  of 
the  cage  a  fourth  of  an  inch  thick.  It  keeps  the  birds'  feet  as  well 
as  their  digestion  in  order. 

It  is  well  to  keep  a  bag  of  sulphur  hanging  in  the  cage.  It  is 
best  above  the  swing  where  the  birds  jar  it,  and  so  get  some  particles 
circulating  through  the  cage. 

When  the  bird  is  molting,  keep  a  rusty  nail  in  the  drinking 

water.  The  iron  is  needed  to  supply  the  loss  of  vitality  occasioned 
by  molting,  and  may  be  used  at  other  times  with  advantage,  if  the 
birds  are  not  as  vigorous  and  active  as  usual. 

Lice  seldom  aiake  their  appearance  where  the  birds  are  kept 
in  a  cleanly  condition.  Canary  seed  should  be  given  constantly,  and 
occasionally  a  mixture  of  rape,  millet,  and  (very  sparingly)  hemp. 
A  hard-boiled  egg,  and  also  a  mixture  of  the  boiled  egg  and  grated 
cracker,  a  bit  of  apple  or  baked  potato,  may  be  given  without  injury. 

The  bird's  bill  of  fare  may  contain  any  of  the  following  tidbits: 
In  summer,  chickweed,  plantain-spears,  peppergrass,  sorrel,  and 
dandelion  leaves  (the  last  are  a  splendid  tonic  for  molting  birds), 
strawberries,  apple,  and  other  fruits;  in  winter,  apples,  figs  (if  the 
bird  is  costive,  both  of  these  are  splendid  correctives),  celery,  and,  in 
the  late  afternoon,  lettuce,  which  make  the  bird  drowsy;  spinach  is 
good,  and  a  sweet  red  pepper  should  always  hang  in  the  cage.  This 
should  be  fed  at  molting-time,  as  it  makes  the  plumage  a  deeper 
orange  color.  When  too  many  sweets  have  been  indulged  in,  feed 
hard-boiled  egg-yolks  mixed  with  cracker-crumbs. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


265 


Use  a  bit  of  netting  sewed  to  a  small  hoop  and  fastened  to  a 
handle  two  feet  long  (like  a  small  butterfly-net)  to  drop  gently  over 
the  bird  when  playtime  is  at  an  end.  If  the  door  of  the  cage  is 
opened,  and  the  bird  is  permitted  to  hop  out  voluntarily,  he  will  not 
be  alarmed. 

Keeping  Household  Acctmmt^ — No  man  can  run  a  business 
successfully  unless  he  has  a  systeni  of  account  keeping.  Keeping 
house  is,  or  should  be,  a  business  proposition,  but  most  women 
do  not  consider  it  as  such,  and  rarely  is  a  housewife  met  with  who 
runs  her  household  on  a  plan  that  will  balance  income  and  expendi- 
ture, and  show  systematically  how  the  husband's  or  father's  cash 
contribution  to  the  home  has  been  expended,  or  saved.  Every 
mother  should  keep  a  useful  record  of  her  share  of  the  business  of 
home-making.  She  should  have  two  blank  books,  each  page  having 
thirty-one  lines,  and  each  space  between  the  lines  numbered  with 
the  date  of  the  month.     Each  page  should  be  ruled  off  like  this: 


Date 

Food 

Re«t 

Ck)  thing 

Recreation 

Contingencies 

In  the  spaces  are  put  the  amounts  expended  daily  which  have 
been  entered  at  the  time  in  a  small  account  book  to  prevent  the 
tricks  that  memory  is  inclined  to  play.  The  above  arrangement 
may  be  extended  to  suit  the  individual  taste  of  the  accountant. 
Where  the  income  is  monthly  it  is  a  good  plan  to  divide  the  food 
and  operating  allowance  by  thirty,  and  only  enough  drawn  each 
week  to  run  the  house  with  under  this  approximate  estimate.  Each 
housewife  will  have  to  divide  up  the  expenses  of  her  household  to 
fit  the  individual  needs,  but  the  first  step  is  to  try  to  apportion  the 
income  in  the  most  effective  way. 


266  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Cooking  cannot  be  well  done  by  guesswork. 

Accurate  measurement  is  necessary  to  success  in  cooking. 

A  tablespoonful  is  a  rounded  spoonful. 

Dry  materials  (flour,  etc.)  should  be  sifted  before  measuring. 

A  cupful  means  full  to  the  brim,  not  rurming  over. 

The  standard  measuring  cup  holds  just  half  a  pint. 

Soda,  baking  powder,  pepper,  salt  and  spices  are  measured  level. 

A  rounded  tablespoon  equals  one-eighth  of  a  cup  or  one-fourtb 
of  a  quarter  pound  print  of  butter. 

Measure  butter  by  packing  closely,  and  measure  flour  lightly, 
without  shaking  down. 

The  standard  cooking  cup  should  hold  just  half  a  pound  oi 
sugar,  or  water,  or  butter  solidly  packed. 

A  quart  of  milk  will  not  contain  four  cups,  measured  by  the 
cooking-cup  measure. 

A  "  shake  "  or  "  speck  "  or  "a  few  grains  "  is  what  you  can 
place  on  a  quarter  inch  square  surface. 

The  word  "  cooking "  is  derived  from  the  Latin  coqtio, 
meaning  "to  boil,  bake,  seethe,  dry,  scorch  or  ripen." 

Anthracite  coal  is  90  to  98  per  cfcnt.  carbon. 

Wood  charcoal  gives  out  more  heat  than  an  equal  weight  of 
any  other  fuel. 

The  forefinger  is  a  poor  index  of  temperatures.  Better  use  a 
thermometer. 

Never  shut  off  all  the  draught  on  a  red-hot  fire  without  putting 
on  a  little  fresh  coal  if  you  wish  to  keep  it  in  good  condition. 

When  all  the  coals  are  red  they  are  nearly  burnt  out;  when 
partly  black  and  partly  red  they  will  give  out  heat  a  longer  time. 

Charcoal  and  anthracite  coal  should  not  be  burned  in  close 
rooms,  open  stoves,  or  those  with  pipe  dampers  closed,  and  a  poor 
chimney  draught. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  267 

Cooking  improves  the  flavor  of  cereals. 

No  cereal  cooked  in  a  rice  boiler  is  ever  over  done. 

Rice  has  but  little  of  the  flesh-forming  element. 

Rice  has  less  fat  and  more  starch  than  any  other  grain. 

Steaming  rice  Is  the  most  economical  and  easiest  way  to  prepare  o 
prepare  it. 

Rice  requires  only  twice  its  bulk  of  boiling  water  and  will 
cook  in  half  an  hour. 

Rice  and  potatoes  contain  little  except  water  and  starch,  sup- 
plying only  two  of  the  needfixl  substances. 

Always  add  hot  water  to  cooking  cereals  when  the  evaporation 

demands  added  fluid. 

Slow  cooking  will  soften  the  gluten  in  grains  more  thoroughly 
than  rapid  boiling. 

Corn  meal  is  rich  in  nitrogen;  it  contains  more  fat  than  other 
grains. 

Barley  is  rich  in  phosphates;  it  has  too  little  gluten  to  make 
good  bread. 

Buckwheat    has    more    heat-giving    and    less    flesh-forming 
elements  than  wheat. 

The  "  heat  and  work  producers  "  of  foods  are  the  proteids, 
albuminoids,  carbohydrates,  fats,  water  and  mineral  matters. 

Carbohydrate  is  the  name  (meaning  starch  and  sugar)  applied 
to  a  class  of  substances  containing  carbon,  oxygen  and  hydrogen. 

Cereals  contain  a  large  amount  of  starch,  some  water,  gluten, 
mineral  matter,  and  a  little  fat  and  sugar. 

212°  F.  breaks  open  the  starch  grains  of  cereals  and  partially 
changes  the  starch  into  dextrin,  a  kind  of  sugar. 

The  starches  of  all  thoroughly  cooked  cereals  require  about 
the  same  time  for  digestion. 

Don't  add  milk  to  gruel  until  it  is  thoroughly  cooked,  and  the 

composition  of  the  milk  will  not  be  injured. 

Test  the  quality  of  each  egg,  by  breaking  separately  into  «. 
saucer,  when  using  several  eggs. 


268  HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

To  be  digestible,  batters  and  doughs  must  be  light  and  porous. 

Suet  is  used  in  doughs  or  flour  mixtures  to  make  them  tender. 

Yeast,  under  the  microscope  is  foimd  to  be  a  plant  or  germ  of 
the  fungus  tribe. 

By  measuring  dry  things  first,  then  the  liquid,  one  cup  will 
do  for  all,  without  washing. 

Thin  batters  for  popovers  and  gems  without  eggs,  should  be 
beaten  vigorously,  just  before  baking. 

Very  thin  batters,  (or  those  containing  sugar  and  eggs)  require 
more  fat  on  the  griddle  than  the  other  kinds. 

Always  mix  the  soda  with  the  flour  or  other  ingredients,  if  dis- 
solved in  water  most  of  the  gas  escapes  as  soon  as  the  soda  is  wetted" 

Batters  require  baking  in  a  hot  oven,  but  if  it  be  too  hot,  the 
sudden  expansion  of  the  air  bursts  the  bubble,  and  the  mixture  falls. 

"  A  well  greased  griddle  or  pan  "  means  a  uniform  coating  of 
fat  over  the  entire  surface,  not  a  daub  here  and  there. 

As  long  as  it  is  soft  enough  to  be  beaten,  a  mixture  is  a  "batter"; 
when  a  spoon  can  no  longer  be  made  to  go  through  it  easily,  it  is  a 
"dough." 

Any  batter  is  a  '*  pour  batter  "  imtil  it  is  made  so  stiff  that  it 
breaks  in  the  pouring  and  drops  from  the  spoon.  It  is  then  a 
"drop  batter." 

Mixtures  of  flour  that  have  to  rise  in  the  oven,  should  be 
placed  on  the  bottom;  they  require  heat  from  underneath  to  help 
in  the  rising. 

The  general  proportions  for  muffin  mixtures  is  one  scant 
measure  of  liquid  to  two  full  measures  of  flour. 

Loaf  is  from  the  word  hlifian,  "to  raise,  to  lift." 

Rye  used  alone  makes  a  moist,  ck)se,  sticky  bread. 

Wheat  contains  a  large  amount  of  starch,  and  more  mineral 

than  any  other  grain. 

Bread  made  from  rye  can  be  kept  for  some  time  before  becoming 
hard  and  unpalatable. 

The  proper  making  of  flour  or  dough  mixtures  is  one  of  the  most 

difficult  forms  of  cooking. 

A  pan  of  water  on  the  middle  rack,  or  a  sheet  of  paper  over  the 
pan  will  prevent  flour  mixtures  from  browning  too  fast. 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  269 

In  table  etiquette  any  custom  is  commendable  that  is  based  on 
the  golden  rule. 

Do  not  talk  or  drink  while  food  is  in  the  mouth. 

In  passing  a  plate  hold  it  so  the  thumb  will  not  rest  on  the  upper 
surface. 

Use  the  knife  only  as  a  divider,  and  the  fork  to  convey  the  food 
to  the  mouth. 

A  spHJtless  table  cloth,  smooth  and  straight  is  essential  to  the 
enjoyment  of  a  meal. 

Never  be  so  absorbed  in  your  own  enjoyment  of  a  meal,  as  to 
be  unmindful  of  the  needs  of  others. 

In  filling  glasses  or  cups,  take  them  near  the  bottom  or  handle, 
never  with  the  hand  over  the  top. 

Before  the  dessert,  remove  the  crumbs  with  a  scraper  or  broad 

knife. 

It  is  unpardonable  to  annoy  others  by  nojisily  eating,  or  drinking, 
or  j;icking  the  teeth  at  the  table. 

In  clearing  a  tea  or  breakfast  table,  where  there  has  been  no 
change  of  courses,  remove  the  silver  and  glasses  first. 

The  overuse  of  sugar  is  one  of  the  causes  of  diabetes. 

Sugar  eaten  in  excess  destroys  the  appetite  for  other  necessary 
foods. 

In  packing  a  freezer  allow  three  level  measures  of  ice  to  one  of 
salt. 

The  finer  the  ice,  the  more  quickly  the  freezing  will  be  ac- 
complished. 

The  ice  cream  can  should  only  be  three-fourths  full;  the  liquid 
expands  in  freezing. 

Do  not  use  ice  in  a  liquid  unless  it  is  known  to  be  pure;  but 
cool  071  ice. 

Water  can  be  purified  for  drinking,  if  boiled  ten  minutes, 
poured  into  sterile  bottles  and  corking  with  absorbent  cotton  until  cool. 

Never  let  the  broken  pieces  or  crumbs  accumulate  in  bread 
or  cake  jars. 

Always  wash  the  bread  board  and  meat  board  on  the  table 
where  they  have  been  used,  never  in  an  iron  sink. 

Fill  the  mixing  bowl  for  dough  with  cold  water  if  not  ready  to 
wash  it  immediately. 


270  HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 

Keep  eggs  in  a  cool  dry  place. 

A  fresh  egg  will  sink  if  placed  in  a  pa.il  of  water. 

A  cold-storage  egg  may  fool  the  eye,  but  not  the  tongue. 

Anything  which  will  entirely  exclude  air  from  eggs  will  help 
to  keep  them. 

An  egg  absorbs  flavors.    The  medicated  nest  eggs  used  by  some 
poultrymen  give  eggs  an  objectionable  odor. 

If  the  yolks  of  eggs  are  cooked  hard  and  separately,  they  are 
more  easily  digested  than  when  soft  cooked. 

The  albumin  of  eggs  if  cooked  at  boiling  water  point  (212°  F.) 
is  tough  and  indigestible. 

The  cooking  temperature  of  albumin  is  160-180°  F.     It  is 

then  soft  and  jelly-like  and  easily  digested. 

Whole  eggs  are  unfit  for  fever  patients,  and  the  whites  only 
snoiild  be  used. 

The  white  of  an  egg  consists  of  nearly  eight-tenths  water,  the 
remainder  being  principally  albumin  (protein)  and  mineral  matter. 

The  yolk  of  an  egg  is  nearly  half  water,  one-sixth  protein,  one- 
third  fat,  and  double  the  mineral  matter  of  the  white. 

The  hen's  egg  contains  nearly  23  per  cent,  fat  but  no  carbo- 
nydrates,  and  the  fat  contains  less  carbon  than  other  fats. 

One  cup  of  ground  coffee  should  make  seven  cups  of  good  coffee- 
Glass  jars  ar«  better  than  tin  canisters  for  keeping  coflFee  and 
tea  in  bulk. 

Tea  or  coffee  taken  with  sugar  or  milk  alone,  is  more  heathful 
than  when  both  are  used. 

Chocolate  and  cocoa  are  both  products  of  the  cocoa  bean,  the 
former  being  much  richer  in  fat  than  the  latter. 

Green  and  black  tea  are  produced  from  the  same  plant  but  by 
different  methods. 

Don't  make  tea  in  tinware;    crockery,  granite  ware  or  silver 
should  be  used. 

Pouring  boiling  water  over  the  leaves  when  preparing  tea, 

and  serving  in  a  few  minutes,  reduces  the  amount  of  tannin  produced. 

If  lemon  juice  is  substituted  for  milk,  tea  is  less  likely  to 
cause  sleeplessness. 


HELPS,  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS  271 

Milk  contains  water,  sugar,  salts,  fat,  albumen,  and  casein. 

Milk  is  taken  as  a  fluid;    when  it  meets  the  gastric  juice  it 
changes  to  a  soft,  cheese-like  substance. 

Milk  curdles  in  the  first  stage  of  digestion;  it  should  be  diluted 

and  not  drunk  immoderately. 

Most  of  the  disease  germs  which  are  liable  to  be  distributed  by 
milk  are  destroyed  by  pasteurization. 

The  temperature  of  boiling  milk  is  slightly  higher  than  that 
of  boiling  water. 

Not  all  the  bacteria  that  find  their  way  into  milk  come  from  the 
barn  or  the  cow. 

Sterilization  does  not  improve  the  digestibility  of  milk,  but 
rather  the  contrary. 

By  heating  milk  in  a  double  boiler,  we  avoid  the  danger  of  its 
burning  and  running  over. 

Pasteurization  of  milk  consists  in  heating  rapidly  to  155°  F. 
for  30  minutes,  and  then  cooling  rapidly  to  68°  F. 

Boiling  milk  does  not  sterilize  it,  and  the  milk  can  not  be 
preserved,  but  it  does  destroy  most  of  the  bacteria. 

Set  a  glassful  of  milk  in  a  warm  place  for  seven  hours;   if  it 
sours  it  is  pure,  if  it  remains  sweet  it  probably  contains  formalin. 

Streaked  or  mottled  butter  is  nearly  always  caused  by  uneven 
salting  by  the  maker. 

Melt  the  suspected  butter;  light  a  wick  placed  therein;  if  the 
odor  is  agreeable  it  is  butter;  if  disagreeable,  it  is  oleomargarine. 

Cheese  will  not  mould  so  readily  if  the  cut  parts  are  rubbed 
with  butter  and  covered  with  greased  paper. 

The  notion  that  you  must  not  look  at  anything  baking  in  an 
oven  is  erroneous,  but  open  and  shut  the  door  quicldy. 

Testing  the  heat  for  baking,  by  the  length  of  time  one  can 
bear  the  hand  in  the  oven  will  vary  with  every  hand  that  tries  it, 

TIME  TABLE  FOR  BROILING. 

Steak,  one  inch  thick 4-6  minutes. 

Steak,  one  and  a  half  inch  thick 6-12  " 

Small,  thin  fish 5-10  " 

Thick  fish 15-20 

Chops,  broiled  in  paper 10-15  " 

Chickens 23  " 


HELPS.  HINTS  AND  RECEIPTS 


.^^J   F-T....-' 

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\  \     ;      ;  a    ft:  \      '••''<  "O.OO0 

\   \     :     I        ^er  /four.  \     •    •    J  .. 


1000  lOO.lACH 

Tft«  F-'ngiiTM  on  the  Index:" 


'Bvmers  in  Varying  Sites." 


srr  r/p  arr  rrp. 

"A  Right  Way  and  a  Wrong  Way." 


To  Read  a  Gas  Meter  Index.  The  figures  on  the  index  at  the  right  hand 
denote  even  hundreds.  When  the  hand  completes  the  entire  circle  it  denotes 
ten  hundred,  and  is  registered  by  the  hand  in  the  center  circle  pointing  to  1 ;  each 
figure  in  the  center  circle  denotes  a  thousand,  this  entire  circle  being  ten  thousand, 
which  is  registered  at  1  on  the  index  of  the  left-hand  circle  by  the  hand,  each 
figure  there  denoting  ten  thousand. 

The  quantity  of  gas  which  passes  through  the  meter  is  ascertained  by  reading 
from  the  index  at  the  time  the  amount  is  required  to  be  known,  and  deducting 
therefrom  the  quantity  shown  by  the  index  at  a  previous  observation. 

If  the  whole  is  registered  by  the  hands  on  the  three  circles  above,  it  indicates  49,900 
Amount  at  previous  observation,  as  shown  by  the  dotted  lines 42,500 


Amount  which  passed  tlirough  since  last  taken  off 7,400 

The  register  at  all  times  shows  the  quantity  that  has  passed  through  since  the 
meter  was  first  set.  Deducting  from  this  the  amount  that  has  been  paid  for 
(without  any  regard  to  the  time  when),  the  remainder  shows  what  is  unpaid. 

Or,  in  different  words,  the  dial  on  the  right  hand  (marked  1,000)  indicates  lOO 
feet  from  one  figure  to  the  next.  The  middle  dial  (marked  10,000)  indicates 
1,000  feet  from  one  figure  to  the  next.  The  dial  on  the  left  (marked  100,000) 
indicates  10,000  feet  from  one  figure  to  the  next. 

If  the  hand  on  the  right-hand  dial  is  between  the  figures  2  and  4,  the  lesser  of 
the  two  numbers  is  read,  the  index  reading  200  feet.  If  the  hand  on  the  middle 
dial  is  between  1  and  0,  this  dial  reads  3,000  feet.  If  the  hand  on  the  left-hand 
dial  is  between  0  and  6,  the  reading  of  this  dial  is  50,000  feet.  The  complete  index 
as  indicated  on  the  three  dials  reads  53,200  feet. 

At  $1  per  thousand  feet,  the  hand  on  the  right-hand  dial  passing  from  the  zero 
point  0  to  the  figure  1,  would  indicate  that  ten  cents'  worth  of  gas  has  been  regis- 
tered on  the  meter.  This  hand  would  have  to  make  one  entire  revolution  of  this 
dial  and  reach  the  zero  point  again  to  register  $1  worth. 


GETTY  CENTER  LIBRARY 


3  3125  00140  2581 


